Some things change and some things don’t. There’s no denying it, there’s no changing it (bad pun intended!); and in the case of Diez in Rhineland-Palatinate on the Hessian border that’s all right
One thing in Diez that’s changed is its name; which has varied several times since the town was founded, and might not have had been named at all when men & women first came to the area 20,000-12,000 B.C.
Yeah, that’s a long time for people to have been living here; but, when you’re located just north of the Taunus Mountains, close to the Westerwald, and on the Lahn River it’s safe to say they probably just enjoyed the scenery; as you will, too.
To get the most out of Diez’s scenery you gotta go to the Hain, the city forest. There are plenty of walking and bike trails, a trim path, playground for the kids, a miniature golf course, and tennis courts. Who knew this would become of the forest that once belonged to the Schloss Oranienstein (see, more change).
The Baroque castle of Oranienstein still stands and guided tours are available if you wish to see it. But, the Diez Castle is the clear winner in a showdown between castles.
Grafenschloss Diez was built in 1073 and perched above the River Lahn; now part youth hostel and part museum. The museum has extensive exhibits on prehistoric & early history; as well as medieval and urban history.
Look, I was right… some things change and somethings don’t — Diez is still dominated by the “Castle;” although it’s original purpose isn’t what it used to be.
At the bottom of the castle is the Protestant Church where quite a few nobles of the castle are buried. What makes this church even more interesting is the Roman grave stone that predates the church by many many centuries.
Speaking of churches, don’t forget to go see the ruins of the old Benedictine Monastery.
Diez once had a bustling Jewish population dating back to the 13th century, too. The town’s synagogue is gone, destroyed in November 1938, as was the Old Jewish Cemetery. The New Jewish Cemetery dates back to the 19th century built right to the mountainside.
When you make a stop at the ICE high-speed train station in Limburg head on over to nearby Diez and see for yourself all the changes that have happened to this town over the last 20,000 years. Then let me know what YOU think.
