Alsweiler: Hiwwelhaus, Pilgrimage Routes and Nature

Alsweiler brings together pilgrimage routes, rural architectural heritage and experiences in nature. When planning a stay, you can consider which focus interests you most: a pilgrimage route, a historic building, or time by streams and ponds. These different themes reveal different sides of the town and give you ideas for planning your trip.

Pilgrimage Routes Through Alsweiler

The St. Wendel–Saarbrücken section of the Way of St. James passes through Alsweiler and the Wareswald. Between Tholey Abbey Church and Marpingen, the Way of St. James passes Alsweiler again. Another route through the area is the Wendalinus Pilgrimage Route, which runs from St. Wendel via Winterbach and Alsweiler to Tholey. The starting points, places along the way and destinations mentioned here help you distinguish between the routes and choose the pilgrimage route that interests you for your trip. Alsweiler is thus connected both with the section between St. Wendel and Saarbrücken and with the route via Winterbach to Tholey. If you are interested in pilgrimage, these different route descriptions offer a practical starting point for planning.

The Hiwwelhaus and the Village Church

The Hiwwelhaus is located close to the village church and was built in 1712. It is considered the oldest farmhouse in Saarland to have been preserved in its original condition and with its original character. The house offers an insight into Saarland farmhouse culture of the 17th and 18th centuries. Parts of the building are accessible as a museum by prior arrangement; cultural events and seminars are held in the former farm section. This offers different ways to experience the site: a museum visit focuses on the building’s architectural heritage, while events and seminars make use of the former farm section. Please bear in mind that you need to make arrangements in advance to visit the museum.

The parish church of St. Mauritius was built between 1829 and 1831 in the Neoclassical style. Together with the Hiwwelhaus, it offers a comparison across periods and architectural styles: the farmhouse represents the rural architectural heritage of the 17th and 18th centuries, while the church reflects 19th-century Neoclassical design. If you are interested in history and architecture, you can explore two different types of buildings and periods in Alsweiler.

Hiking Trails, Streams and Ponds

Numerous hiking trails in Alsweiler offer opportunities for exercise and experiences in nature. Streams and idyllic ponds invite you to relax by the water. These offer two distinct options: getting active on the hiking trails or taking a quieter break by the local waters. When planning your time, you can choose whether you would rather go hiking or enjoy nature by the water. These landscape features complement the pilgrimage routes without requiring the same kind of travel interest: the trails offer a reason to get out and explore, while the streams and ponds provide an opportunity to unwind by the water.

The Kappeskerb

The Kappeskerb is another festival associated with Alsweiler. A municipal retrospective dated September 25, 2024, describes it as a four-day parish fair. The edition described there included a traditional keg tapping on a Saturday. If you would like to include the Kappeskerb in your travel plans, check the latest event dates. This way, you can plan a visit to the festival as a separate focus alongside pilgrimage routes, architectural history and nature.

Discover more destinations: Marpingen, Theley, Oberthal, Freisen, Bosen, Sankt Wendel, Tholey, Nonnweiler

Back to the main travel overview: Sankt Wendel.