The best city hikes and walks in Nettetal

These basalt figures were placed in the Feilsgraben in Mayen. Of course, the "monster", the hare, against which the 7 "fought" is also visible.

Here Komoot has marked a normal path, which however goes directly through the Nette via a ford.

The current „Alte Rathaus“ (Old Town Hall) was built in 1717 in the baroque architectural style on the northeastern edge of the market square using regional building materials (the typical basalt lava stone) and features a hipped mansard roof construction as well as a square clock tower with an octagonal superstructure made of regional slate with a sound opening. In 1945, many buildings in Mayen's city center were destroyed during bombings. However, the Alte Rathaus suffered only minor damage, allowing it to continue to be used as an administrative seat and thus as a building for council banquets and meetings, as well as for dance and festive events. With the construction of a new administrative seat, the town hall later also moved to the Mayener Rosenstraße area. Today, the Alte Rathaus serves as a „Haus des Gastes“ (House of the Guest), where the municipal tourist information is located on the lower floor. However, festive events or receptions are still frequently held in the former meeting room of the Alte Rathaus. Source: Anne Gasper, Universität Koblenz-Landau, 2015

Undoubtedly, one of the most imposing parts of the former city fortifications of Mayen is the Mühlenturm (Mill Tower). It and its counterpart, the Vogelsturm (Bird Tower), are the only two largely intact round towers of the old 14th-century fortification. On the stretch between the Wittbender Tor (Wittbend Gate) and the Brückentor (Bridge Gate), in addition to the round Mühlenturm, other tower structures – including two half-towers and a so-called Erkerturm (oriel tower) – secured the wall and the city's forefield. Above the inflow of the Barwinkel stream, there was also a projecting defensive structure; the stream powered a mill inside the city, which likely gave its name to the Mühlenturm located just a few meters away. The four-story Mühlenturm also had to secure the terrain on the opposite bank of the Nette. Its upper floor shows walled-up embrasures and loopholes, which once formed an open crenellated crown before the conical roof. Unlike the other gates and towers, it has never lost this roof. In 1906, our tower was last renovated under the city master builder Eugen de Witt. Source: https://www.blick-aktuell.de/Mayen/Der-Muehlenturm-79159.htm

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 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.

A very beautiful market square with beautiful buildings (town hall, church, and castle). Plenty of cafés and restaurants, bakeries, etc., offer opportunities for a rest and refreshment.

Every three years, a symposium with international artists takes place. Stone sculptures made from basalt, the stone quarried in the Mayen mining area, are created there. The unsold pieces can be viewed here.