In Kollig, historic landmarks meet striking views across the landscape. The present-day St. Willibrord’s Church dates from 1729; Kollig was first mentioned in a document in 1279. There is also a niche wayside cross bearing the date 1623 on Alter Weg. Sammetzkopf adds views of Münstermaifeld and the volcanoes of the Eastern Eifel to these historical themes.
Church, Local History and Wayside Cross
The dates represent different local points of reference: 1279 is the year Kollig was first mentioned in a document, while 1729 is the year the present-day St. Willibrord’s Church was built. The niche wayside cross on Alter Weg is recorded as bearing the date 1623. Anyone interested in a place’s history can explore different themes through written records, the church and the wayside cross.
The wayside cross and the church each add a distinct element to the village’s history. The cross is identified by its location on Alter Weg and the date 1623; the church is associated with the year 1729. Together with the first documentary mention, these create a historical perspective that brings different dates and types of monument side by side.
Sammetzkopf and Hiking Destination
At Sammetzkopf, the focus is on the view across the landscape. From there, it stretches towards MĂĽnstermaifeld and its collegiate church, as well as the volcanoes of the Eastern Eifel. The summit cross is visible from far away and is also illuminated after dark. This makes the themes at Sammetzkopf quite different from the historical landmarks in the village: here, the focus is on views across the wider landscape and a distinctive summit marker.
The Pyrmonter Felsensteig is another hiking option. Hikers on the trail reach the Kolliger Hochkreuz. This means you can include a specific hiking destination in your travel plans, alongside the church, wayside cross and viewpoint. If you plan to hike the trail, check current trail conditions before setting off.
When looking for a holiday apartment, you can start by considering what you want to focus on during your stay: local history and monuments, the view from Sammetzkopf, or the hike to the Kolliger Hochkreuz. These themes offer different reasons to choose Kollig as a destination, without prescribing a set order for your stay.
More Cultural and Landscape Highlights in Mayen-Koblenz
The wider destination of Mayen-Koblenz has additional cultural highlights of its own. Genovevaburg Castle was built in 1280 by Heinrich von Finstingen, Archbishop of Trier, and is one of Mayen’s landmarks. In Bendorf, a different chapter takes centre stage at Sayn Ironworks: it is an anchor site on the European Route of Industrial Heritage and the only monument in Rhineland-Palatinate to receive this distinction. Following restoration work, modern exhibitions and multimedia installations invite visitors to explore; Sayn Ironworks also offers guided tours and creative workshops.
Sayn Abbey offers another historical perspective. It was founded around 1200, and its abbey church was consecrated in 1202. Its exterior paintings, dating from around 1255, are considered the best-preserved examples in Germany from the High Middle Ages. Thus, the wider Mayen-Koblenz destination offers other distinct stops on the cultural history trail, alongside Kollig’s landmarks.
Sayn Palace Park adds a different touch. Carl Friedrich Thelemann designed it as an English landscape garden between 1840 and 1850, commissioned by Prince Ludwig Adolf Friedrich zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn. The park features a palace pond with a fountain, winding paths, numerous benches and secluded quiet spots. For a thematic comparison with Kollig’s landscape views, the focus here is on garden design and places to relax.
Those interested in volcanism in the wider Mayen-Koblenz destination can visit the Lava Dome, the German Volcano Museum, in Mendig. At the Geyser Museum, five exhibition areas explain how the world’s highest cold-water geyser works. This adds a dedicated museum experience to the wider destination, complementing the views of the volcanoes of the Eastern Eifel from Sammetzkopf.
Discover more destinations: Monreal, Kirchwald, Bassenheim, Mayen, KĂĽrrenberg, Waldesch, Ettringen, Mendig.
See the overview of the wider destination: Mayen-Koblenz.
