Genovevaburg Castle stands on a rocky outcrop above the market square and is a landmark of Mayen. Together with the surviving city wall, cultural venues and the Mayen Quarry Field, it reveals different sides of the town: architectural history, events and nature. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between the different options – from a historical guided tour lasting around 90 minutes to a culinary tour of about four and a half hours.
Genovevaburg Castle and Mayen’s history
The late Gothic Genovevaburg Castle consists of an upper castle and a lower outer bailey. The upper castle includes the 34-metre-high Goloturm tower. The castle houses the EifelTotal and German Slate Mine exhibitions of the Eifel Museum. The building thus combines its role as a landmark with its function as an exhibition venue.
Mayen’s history is also visible in the cityscape along the city wall: large sections of the wall have been preserved, and a restored defensive walkway can be followed as far as Genovevaburg Castle. The Old Detention House offers another perspective on the town’s history. The former town jail was built in 1880 and extended in 1904; today it serves as a home for art and culture. During the summer months, its courtyard also becomes an open-air venue for the Castle Festival, with theatre, music and other cultural events.
Every summer, the Castle Festival also transforms Genovevaburg Castle in the heart of Mayen into a venue for theatre, music and coming together. Visitors wishing to plan their visit around a seasonal cultural programme will find two named venues: the castle and the courtyard of the Old Detention House. The exhibitions at the Eifel Museum offer a different focus from the performances.
Guided city tours and culinary tour
Walking tours of Mayen are available on request. The historical city tour takes visitors through the town centre and lasts around 90 minutes. Visitors can use the Hearonymus app for a self-guided digital tour, playing information at the sights. These are different ways to explore Mayen: a guided tour with a stated duration, or a digital walk that you can start wherever you choose.
Another option is the approximately 4.5-hour culinary city tour. Participants visit a total of five pubs and restaurants. It is considerably longer than the historical tour and combines the walk with several stops for refreshments. The stated durations can help you decide whether you would prefer a compact historical introduction or a more extensive culinary programme during your stay.
Bat trails and circular walks
In the Mayen Quarry Field, the short Bat Trail explores the world of bats. One special point of interest is Shaft 700, home to the bats. The quarry field is presented as one of Central Europe’s most important bat roosts. On a guided tour of the SteinZeiten exhibition, visitors can follow individual stages of basalt mining at interactive stations. Nature and mining history are both featured here, but they are not the same focus.
The Eifeltraum is also a short circular walk: it runs through Mayen Municipal Forest and features viewpoints and a natural Kneipp pool. Another option is the day hike on the Traumpfad Förstersteig, which starts in Mayen-Kürrenberg. Several types of route are therefore available: a short circular walk in the municipal forest, a bat trail through the quarry field and a route described as a day hike starting in Kürrenberg. The descriptions emphasise different aspects – nature, information about bats or the starting point of a longer hike.
Visitors planning their stay around particular interests can choose which Mayen attractions to prioritise: the castle, city wall and exhibitions offer culture and history; the guided tours have different durations; and the quarry field and municipal forest focus on nature and landscapes. The seasonal Castle Festival is another way to include theatre and music in your plans in Mayen.
Discover more destinations: Mertloch, Bassenheim, Nitztal, Andernach, Volkesfeld, KĂĽrrenberg, Kerben, Kobern-Gondorf.
Go to the broader travel overview: Mayen-Koblenz.
