The best traffic-free bike rides around Luxem

The Obertor is a city gate of the Mayen town fortifications that has survived to this day. It was built between 1299 and 1354. The different stone formats and corner ashlar formations make the various construction phases visible. Initially, the lower floor was built in the 14th century during the reign of Archbishop Balduin of Luxembourg (c. 1285-1354, Archbishop of Trier 1307-1354). The Obertor was only extended upwards in the 15th century. The tower was restored in 1909 and 1976 and has thus survived in good condition to this day. The gate used to provide access from the Eifel region along the northern town wall to the Brückentor, which has also survived to this day. The Obertor formerly served as a starting point for pilgrims on the Way of St. James from Mayen towards Trier. Today, weddings can be held in the registry office in the Obertor, and the city library is housed in the adjacent building. (Jonas Breithaupt, University of Koblenz-Landau, 2015)

One of the city gates from the fortifications of Mayen that has survived to this day is the Obertor. It was built between 1299 and 1354. Different stone formats and the design of the corner blocks make the different construction phases visible. Initially, the lower floor was built during the reign of Archbishop Balduin of Luxembourg (c. 1285-1354, Archbishop of Trier 1307-1354) in the 14th century. The Obertor was only extended in the 15th century. The tower was restored in 1909 and 1976 and has thus been preserved in good condition to this day. Through the gate, one used to exit the Eifel region along the northern city wall to the Brückentor, which is also preserved to this day. The Obertor formerly served pilgrims as a starting point on the Way of St. James from Mayen in the direction of Trier. Today, one can get married in the registry office in the Obertor, and the city library is housed in the adjacent building of the Obertor. Source: Jonas Breithaupt, Universität Koblenz-Landau, 2015

The northern gate of the city fortifications, which still exists today, is the gatehouse located on the Nette river, built between 1299 and 1354. It secured the crossing of the Nette and primarily served as the city entrance from the direction of Koblenz, which is why it also bears the name "Koblenzer Tor" (Koblenz Gate). Since there are no signs of a slot in the wall for a portcullis, it is assumed that a drawbridge to the bridge pier on the Nette was used to secure the gate. Due to the flood in 1598, the gatehouse collapsed along with the outer gate. However, the chiseled number 1599 testifies that the gatehouse was rebuilt just one year later. From the beginning of the 19th century until 1855, the gatehouse was used as a prison. The city coat of arms, added in 1911, is still visible today. Source: Jonas Breithaupt, University of Koblenz-Landau, 2015

The signal box for Mayen-Ost station is located here.

The Brückentor (Bridge Gate) is one of Mayen's few remaining medieval city gates and once served as the most important entrance for travelers coming from Koblenz. Today, this historic building houses the Mayen Carnival Museum, which brings the city's long tradition of "Faasenaacht" (Carnival Night) to life.

The late Gothic castle was besieged, destroyed, and rebuilt several times over the course of its eventful history. The current complex consists of the upper castle with the 34-meter-high Golo Tower and the slightly lower outer castle. The castle is protected from the city by a large castle gate, and on the other side by the keep and a moat complex. The former moat is now a ring road spanned by a 20-meter-long Gothic stone bridge. The Genovevaburg Castle houses two exhibitions of the Eifel Museum: EifelTotal and the German Slate Mine.

The Holy Spirit Chapel is a former hospital chapel that was part of a hospital in the Middle Ages. Foundations discovered in 1935 suggest that a chapel connected to the then hospital already stood here earlier. According to tradition, the chapel was looked after around 1380 by a priest and a chaplain who received a house near the hospital from the estate of a Pastor Wienand. Since 1592, the chapel has belonged to the Clemensstift.

Nice back road. Rolls well. Very shady.