Neukirchen can be explored through a range of historical traces: its church building, the village column and Haus Horr in the Neukircher Heide. They do not tell the same story. It is precisely this shift between ecclesiastical architectural history, public art and a manor house that gives the place a multifaceted character.
Church Building and Architectural History
The Neukirchen parish is documented as early as around 1300, with a church dedicated to St. James the Greater. The core of St. James Church was built in the Romanesque style. The historical date and the architectural style offer two different points of reference: one concerns the early mention of a church in the parish, while the other relates to the architectural classification of the core of St. James Church.
Haus Horr in the Neukircher Heide was built in 1738 by the von Francken family. The chapel belonging to Haus Horr was built in the mid-18th century. Comparing the house’s exact year of construction with the chapel’s broader date range draws attention to two connected buildings with different dates. Haus Horr can therefore be viewed both in terms of when it was built and through its chapel.
Art and Local History
At the village column in Neukirchen, four brightly colored reliefs in majolica technique tell the history of the district. Unlike the church building or Haus Horr, the focus here is on local history itself, depicted in a public work of art. The reliefs connect a specific artwork with the district’s historical story.
There is also a small wayside chapel in Neukirchen at the corner of Roseller StraĂźe and Ramrather StraĂźe. Together with the chapel belonging to Haus Horr, it offers another perspective on sacred buildings. St. James Church, the chapels and the village column offer different points of access: through architectural form, religious dedication or the story told about the district.
Grevenbroich: Distinct Cultural and Nature Themes
The wider destination of Grevenbroich has its own range of themes. Villa Erckens is a cultural and exhibition centre in the green heart of Grevenbroich city centre. Its permanent exhibition covers around 370 square metres. Colourful themed rooms and interactive features present regional perspectives on language, landscape, energy, food and drink, religions, celebrations and work. The themes and offerings may continue to evolve.
The Wildfreigehege im Bend is also one of Grevenbroich’s attractions: visitors can observe up to 200 wild and domestic animals in enclosures designed to resemble natural habitats. The wildlife park also includes a petting zoo where visitors can interact directly with some of the animals, and a large playground. Alongside exhibitions, Grevenbroich thus offers opportunities for wildlife observation and these visitor facilities.
For a hike or cycle ride in Grevenbroich, the town centre provides a distinct starting point: from there, the route heads south past Schloßpark and the Old Castle, through the Bend and alongside Gustorfer Mühle and Welchenberg, following the Erft to the Bergheim town boundary. Check local conditions before setting off. This route offers a separate guide to Grevenbroich; Neukirchen’s architectural and artistic themes are a different focus.
For the wider travel overview: Grevenbroich.
