Monreal in the Elztal, in the German Volcanic Eifel. The most beautiful village in the Eifel, a title that the village has received several times and rightly so. About fifteen kilometers from Kaisersesch and about the same distance from Mayen. A picturesque and picturesque village, definitely something for a postcard. Medieval, with beautiful half-timbered houses, castles and stone bridges. The mini version of Monschau, so cuter and less touristy. What more could one want to dream away and spend a romantic afternoon?
Monreal: location and name origin
Where can you find Monreal?
Monreal is located in Germany, more specifically in the Volcanic Eifel. You will find Monreal about seven kilometers from Mayen, fifteen kilometers from Kaisersesch and about twenty-five kilometers from Cochem on the Moselle. The beautiful village is located in the Elz valley. The Elz is a small river that flows in the Elztal. The village has only 860 inhabitants but attracts numerous tourists every year. You can get there by car or by bus Andernach Mayen Kaiseresch. The Eifelquerbahn used to pass here, but unfortunately this has been history since 2013…
Origin of the name
The name Monreal comes from the Latin Mons regalis, literally translated as Koningsberg. Since 1994/1995, the German Monreal has been twinned with the southern French Montreal in the Aude department.
The picturesque village with the two castles
Löwenburg and Phillippsburg
Monreal is located at the foot of two castles: Monreal Castle (or Löwenburg) and Phillippsburg. The Löwenburg dates from 1229 and was the base of the village of Monreal. The castle was built by the Counts of Virneburg. The small castle grew bigger and bigger. It was destroyed twice. Once by Swedish troops during the Thirty Years’ War in 1632 and once by French troops of Louis the Fourteenth (the Sun King) in 1689. You can visit both castles by first climbing up a staircase and then via narrow paths. You are not allowed on the Löwenburcht, but you are allowed on the Philippsburcht. The visit to the two castles is free. Also note the names of the different places in the castle, written in white paint on the stones. You will see, among other things, the remains of the chapel, the knight’s hall, the horse stable, the watchtower, etc. You will also find a small model of the two castles, with a short explanation in German on the column below, English and French. From the top of the imposing tower you have a beautiful view of the surroundings.
Traumpfad Monrealer Ritterschlag
You can take the Traumpfad Monrealer Ritterschlag around the two castles. Over the hills, in the valley, through the woods. Be sure to grease your legs, because it is about 13.5 kilometers up and down. Don’t forget your camera, because in return for your effort you will get to see some beautiful pictures.
Three stone bridges over the river Elz
Monreal is located in the Elz valley, a babbling mountain river. There are three stone bridges over the Elz. On one of the three bridges, namely the Johannes Bridge, you will find a late Gothic crucifix with lions on one side, a reference to the Löwenburg, and on the other side the image of Saint John of Nepomuk, the bridge saint. This bridge is the middle bridge.
Half-timbered houses and potteries
Cloth industry
The town flourished in the 18th century due to the cloth industry, partly due to the many sheep herders from the area. The many weavers lived in the numerous half-timbered houses, which date from the 14th to the 17th century. They were lovingly restored and neatly maintained.
Viergebelhaus with pillory
The Viergebelhaus, the current Town Hall, is also worth seeing. It dates from 1452 and was restored in 2002. Next to the Viergebelhaus is the Schandbaum, a pillory that is especially appreciated by the children. You can slide your hands through the cuffs, but the hole is too small for the head. There are beautiful flowers and plants everywhere in the village . In the narrow streets of the historic city center of this mini-village you will now find flea and souvenir shops and also some potters.
Parish church and eateries
The beautiful Catholic parish church Kreuzerhöhung dates from 1460, the even older late Gothic Friedhofskapel dates from the 13th century. Furthermore, there are of course many cozy cafes and eateries, one of which is romantically located next to the river (see below).
Most beautiful village
In 2004, the village won the Unser Dorf soll schöner werken unser Dorf hat Zukunft competition, something they can rightly be proud of and which is evidenced by a large sign at the entrance to the village. Everywhere in the village you will find signs explaining the history of the city. These signs are in German.
Monreal as a stage for a German crime scene
The town of Hillesheim proves that the Eifel region is very popular for German crime makers. But Monreal also served as a set for the comedy Der Bulle und das Landei with Uwe Ochsenknecht and Diana Amft, broadcast by ARD.
Food and drink
Since the beginning of 2018, right next to the Elz, you can eat delicious salty flammenkuchen in the old parsonage behind the church and drink a special Vulkan beer from Mendig. You can sit outside or inside. The garden is very large and cozy. At an outside table you also have a beautiful view of the village and the river. In the Elz you can just see trout swimming by. There is an Italian restaurant on the main street of Monreal. Good for a pizza or pasta. At the bakery in the main street you can get delicious snacks to enjoy on the spot or to take home. For a nice beer you have to go to Café Plüche. There are plenty of opportunities to strengthen your inner self after the tiring walk on the thirteen kilometer long trail. You no longer have to look for the cozy restaurant Arenz (see photo opposite). The cozy Flammenkuchen restaurant unfortunately closed its doors in December 2017. Many will certainly miss the sweet and salty Flammenkuchen, the delicious homemade cakes and the friendly hostess.
Moselschieferstrasse
The Moselschieferstrasse is a tourist route that can be traveled by car. It is 110 kilometers long and takes you past Mayen, Monreal, Kaisersesch, Cochem, Treis-Karden and Münstermaifeld. You follow them by following the brown signs with the drawing of two crossed hammers with two dots at the top. These places bear witness to the rich past of slate, a product for which this region was famous. At the beginning of September, this route will be the route for the ADAC-Moselschiefer-Classic. Hundreds of vintage cars take part in this race. More information at www.moselschieferstrasse.de.
Festivities in Monreal
In addition to the ADAC-Moselschieferstrasse-Classic (always at the end of August – beginning of September), there are numerous other festivities in this beautiful village. For example, every two years (on even years) there is a historic Handicrafts and Farmers Market at the beginning of September. So we will now have to wait until 2018 before we can go back there. There is also a big party with carnival, a Junggesellenfest, a flower market, a fair, a sports week, a Schnürenhoff festival, a Weinfest and an attractive Advent market.
More information and beautiful photos of this postcard village at www.monreal-eifel.de.