Urbar – Rhine Views and Cultural History

Urbar is terraced above the right bank of the Rhine. From here, you can enjoy views of Koblenz, the Rhine and the island of Niederwerth. History and landscape shape the themes you can discover in the town: from the Besselich monastery estate and a Neo-Gothic wayside chapel to the Mallendarer Bachtal valley, which is a protected landscape. The regular community singing sessions at Kultur-Gut are also part of local cultural life.

Scenery and Views in Urbar

Its terraced location gives Urbar a clear sense of place within the landscape: the view takes in Koblenz, the Rhine and Niederwerth. The Mallendarer Bachtal valley offers a different perspective. It is part of Urbar, serves as a local recreation area and is a protected landscape. The valley invites you to go for walks, offering a tangible way to experience the landscape on foot. The views and walking trails represent different sides of the town—the wide vistas across the banks of the Rhine and the protected valley.

Monastery Estate, Chapel and Church

Urbar’s history is closely linked to the Besselich monastery estate, which was first mentioned in a document in 1204. After it was sold to Günter Rombelsheim, the estate was listed as a protected historic monument. Both its early mention and its later protected status are part of the town’s history.

A Neo-Gothic brick wayside chapel stands on the main road. One of its distinctive features is a seated Madonna dating from the 14th century. The chapel combines Neo-Gothic architecture with a work of art from a much earlier period. A more recent historical landmark is the new Church of St Peter and Paul, consecrated by Bishop Dr Stephan Ackermann on 22 May 2022. The date and occasion mark a clear contrast in time with the medieval Madonna and Besselich’s first documented mention.

Community Singing at Kultur-Gut

On the first Monday of every month, music-loving residents of Urbar meet at Kultur-Gut to sing together. If you would like to include this gathering in your travel plans, check the date in advance, as the monthly schedule may change. This is a way to experience local cultural life alongside the town’s architectural and landscape highlights.

More Cultural Highlights in the Wider Mayen-Koblenz Destination

The wider Mayen-Koblenz destination offers further cultural and historical highlights. Genovevaburg Castle in Mayen was built in 1280 by Heinrich von Finstingen, Archbishop of Trier, and is one of the city’s landmarks. Sayn Ironworks is an anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage and the only monument in Rhineland-Palatinate to hold this distinction. Following restoration, it invites visitors to explore modern exhibitions and multimedia presentations; guided tours and creative workshops are also available.

Sayn Abbey is another site with a medieval history: it was founded around 1200, and its abbey church was consecrated in 1202. The abbey’s exterior paintings, dating from around 1255, are considered the best-preserved examples of their kind from the High Middle Ages in Germany. These examples belong to the wider Mayen-Koblenz destination and complement Urbar’s local themes with castle, monastery and industrial heritage.

Discover more destinations: Vordereifel, Urmitz, Herresbach, Lonnig, Mülheim-Kärlich, Lind, Kettig, Hatzenport.

Return to the wider travel overview: Mayen-Koblenz.