Merzig: Nature, Orchards and Culture

Merzig combines orchards and animal encounters with the history of technology and culture. When choosing a destination, it helps to consider whether nature, animal attractions, a museum or an event date should shape your stay.

Orchards and habitats

Orchards are considered a characteristic feature of Merzig’s landscape, as well as a long-standing cultural heritage and valuable habitat. Around 58,000 fruit trees grow in orchards within the Merzig municipal area. The NABU apple variety garden on Nackberg, established with the support of the city, welcomes visitors. At Blättelbornweiher, information boards provide details about insects, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds; the habitat structures there support threatened species. The garden is a specific place to learn about orchards, while the pond offers a closer look at different animal groups and their habitats.

Animal encounters and guided tours

At Merzig Animal and Ark Park, you can see native animals such as forest goats and sheep; there is also a large aviary. Guided tours focus on endangered breeds of domestic animals and offer a behind-the-scenes look. Confirm the availability of these programs before your trip.

At the Werner Freund Wolf Park, a free talk is held at the white wolves’ enclosure on the first Sunday of every month. Group tours can be arranged in advance. Check the visitor program before your trip, especially if you are planning around a specific date or a group tour.

The history of technology and psychiatry

The Fellenbergmühle Museum of Precision Mechanics preserves a working precision engineering workshop, established in a former mill in 1927. The mill itself was founded in 1767. The Fellenbergmühle documents the transition from artisanal production to industrial manufacturing and factory work. The mill’s founding and the establishment of the workshop mark distinct stages in the site’s history.

The Merzig Psychiatric Museum explores the history of psychiatry and the former Merzig psychiatric hospital through documents, photographs, audio recordings and film footage. Visits are possible by prior arrangement with the staff. The Park of Freethinkers above the clinic is open to visitors.

Viez and Oktoberfest

Viez is the regional apple wine, associated with Merzig’s long tradition of apple growing and the Merzig Viez Festival. Held every year in October, the festival turns the town centre into a Viez mile, with regional food stalls, Merzig Viez and music stages. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the latest event dates and program before your trip.

A cycling loop through Merzig

A cycling loop of just over 9 kilometres starts at Merzig-Stadtmitte station, follows the Saar to Besseringen and returns via Merzig harbour. The route is flat and almost entirely car-free.

More history in the Merzig-Wadern destination

The wider Merzig-Wadern destination also includes the reconstructed Roman Villa Borg in Perl-Borg, a Roman villa rustica with archaeological treasures. Guided tours are available in German, French, English, Dutch and Luxembourgish. In the same destination, the Düppenweiler Historic Copper Mine offers an underground tour featuring the “Mystallica” audiovisual multimedia system.

Discover more destinations: Losheim Am See, Weiskirchen, Wadern, Mettlach, Nohn, Beckingen, Orscholz, Perl

View the wider travel overview: Merzig-Wadern.