For a stay in Dausenau, medieval architecture and practical questions about routes and access go hand in hand. The town fortifications enclose the historic town center and serve as a landmark for the path along the town wall and the Lahn-Westerwald Loop. Access varies between sights: the Leaning Tower has been closed to visitors since 1959, while the church vestibule is accessible during the day in summer.

Town Wall and Leaning Tower

The medieval town fortifications are about one kilometer long and enclose Dausenau’s historic center. The town wall rises above the banks of the Lahn, behind the towpath. The ring wall is thought to date from the first half or the middle of the 14th century, so its dating is approximate.

The octagonal Leaning Tower is considered Dausenau’s landmark and the best-known part of its medieval fortifications. Its significance to the town’s history does not change the access restriction: the tower has been closed to visitors since 1959. Those interested in the town fortifications can therefore consider it an important part of the complex without planning to visit the interior.

Church, Town Hall and Other Historic Buildings

The Romanesque tower of St. Castor’s Church dates from 1179 and is Dausenau’s oldest building. The main choir features a Passion frieze in which apostles alternate with scenes from the Passion of Christ. The church vestibule is accessible during the day in summer; from there, visitors can view most of the church. Check this seasonal access before your visit.

The late Gothic half-timbered town hall was built between 1432 and 1434. Together with the Romanesque church tower and the ring wall, which is thought to date from the 14th century, it forms a historical sequence spanning several centuries: from the 12th-century tower, through the approximate dating of the fortifications, to the 15th-century town hall.

Another notable natural feature is the Old Oak: its root circumference is 15 meters, and it is hollow inside.

Routes, Elevation Changes and Views

The path along the town wall includes ascents and descents. The local heritage association recommends sturdy footwear. If you plan to walk this section, take the elevation changes into account when preparing and follow the footwear recommendation.

In Dausenau, the Lahn-Westerwald Loop follows the town wall and continues toward the Herrenlai viewpoint. The town fortifications are therefore also part of this route. From the Taunus-side heights, there are views into the Lahn Valley.

Parking is available at the Leaning Tower or on the opposite side of the Lahn, just beyond the bridge, to start the route. As parking conditions can change, check them before setting off. This lets you plan your starting point and route in advance without assuming a particular walking time or distance.

Dausenau in the Wider Rhein-Lahn Region

The wider Rhein-Lahn destination includes the Rhein-Lahn district, which comprises the area on the right bank of the Rhine at the mouth of the Lahn, the Lahn Valley up to just before Limburg near Diez, the southern foothills of the Westerwald toward the Lahn Valley, and the northern Taunus uplands between the Rhine and the Aar. The Roman Limes runs through the district; its visible remains are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper German-Raetian Limes.

Discover more destinations: Fachbach, Arzbach.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Bad Ems.