The best traffic-free bike rides around Kall

Saint John of Nepomuk was a priest (Vicar General of the Archbishop) in Bohemia who died a martyr's death in Prague in 1393. On royal command, he was thrown from the Charles Bridge in Prague into the Vltava River and drowned. His statue can still be found on or near many bridges today – here in the town of Blankenheim, twice in close proximity to the source of the Ahr River. He is considered not only a popular "bridge saint" but is also the patron saint of the seal of confession. In many depictions of him, he holds a cross in one hand, and with the other, he sometimes places a finger on his lips as a sign of silence (about what was heard during confession). The feast day of Saint John of Nepomuk in the calendar of saints is on March 20th.

The Vennbahn is one of the longest cycle paths along disused railway lines in Europe. It leads through 3 countries, is completely asphalted and has only slight inclines. Nature, borderland flair and Vennbahn stories accompany this 125 km long tour.

rtseite Schloss Schmidtheim Schloss Schmidtheim Dahlem The castle is picturesquely situated amidst green spaces and is surrounded by a moat. Today, the castle is not only an important landmark of the region but also a cultural venue. The architecture of the castle combines elements of the Renaissance and Baroque, making it a fascinating example of the region's architectural history.

The water is drinkable, but it doesn't always run.

"John of Nepomuk or John of Pomuk (Latin: Joannes de Pomuk, Czech: Jan Nepomucký or Jan z Pomuka, * c. 1350 in Pomuk near Pilsen; † March 20, 1393 in Prague) was a Bohemian priest and martyr. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1729 and is considered the "bridge saint" and patron of the seal of confession. Along with crosses and depictions of the Virgin Mary, sculptures of Saint Nepomuk are the most commonly found Christian stone figures outside of church buildings in the open countryside in Catholic areas of southern Germany, Bohemia, Moravia, and Austria. Statues of the saint are often found on or next to bridges. The most famous of these, created by Johann Brokoff in 1683, is located on Prague's Charles Bridge at the spot where the saint was thrown into the Vltava River. " https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Nepomuk "... John of Nepomuk lived from about 1350 to 1393. He died as punishment by being thrown from the Charles Bridge into the Vltava River and drowned. As a bridge saint, his statue stands on many bridges in Europe. ..." 👉 Life and work of John of Nepomuk and further information: https://www.erzbistum-koeln.de/presse_und_medien/magazin/Johannes-Nepomuk-der-Brueckenheilige

The section near Schmidtheim has been newly asphalted!

The palace complex was built between the 16th and 18th centuries. The distinctive residential tower was built first. The complex was then expanded to include an outer bailey with a farmyard, two side wings, and a four-part fountain basin in the courtyard. The moats of the former two-part moated palace have now been filled in. The palace is still privately owned by the Count Beissel von Gymnich family. On the southeast wing, a coat of arms for Friedrich Wilhelm Beyssel von Gymnich (born 1638, died 1710) and Maria Magdalena von Metzenhausen (died 1716) is affixed to the exterior. In the outer bailey, a coat of arms is placed above the gateway for Georg Anton Dominikus Beyssel von Gymnich (born 1683, died 1754), Privy Councilor and Chamberlain of the Electorate of Trier, Chief Bailiff of Prüm, Schönecken, and Schönberg, and his second wife, Maria Anna Franziska Ludovika Baroness Raitz von Frentz zu Kendenich. Today, guests can stay overnight in the castle's holiday home and vacation apartment, and they can also have a civil wedding in the Blue Salon. It is also suitable for celebrations and conferences.

After the outdoor pool closed, the Weiherpark in the North Rhine-Westphalian municipality was left to its own devices – a barely used and inaccessible brownfield site with dilapidated structures emerged near the town center. A park is now being created at the confluence of the Ahr and Giesenbach rivers that blends into the landscape and connects Blankenheim with the surrounding nature. The vision: a spacious, species-rich valley landscape in the immediate vicinity of the town center. The Weiherpark has been rebuilt and redesigned over decades. After the swimming pool closed in 2015, large parts of it remained unused; only the Swan Pond in the center of the park remained accessible. The ideas and wishes of the residents were incorporated into the redevelopment plans. Existing and unused facilities will be demolished and landscaped; The subsequently remodeled terrain will connect to the neighboring valleys, bringing nature directly into the town. The renaturalized Weiherpark will be accessible and accessible for everyone. Thanks to the exposure of the Giesenbach stream, its confluence with the Ahr will become an integral part of the park, creating a connection to the Ahr source in the nearby historic town center. Source: https://die-gruene-stadt.de/ein-gruenes-tal-kehrt-zurueck/