Interestingly enough, the town of Neunkirchen (Siegerland) is built around an extinct volcano. But, that’s not the extent of what makes the old mining town, which translates to “Nine Churches,” interesting.
You’ll find that Neunkirchen constantly holds many types of cultural events throughout the year, has a beautiful countryside with hiking and biking trails, and small local museums.
As soon as you get to Neunkirchen get your walking shoes and hike on over to the Hohenseelbachskopf, the actual volcano that created the basalt rock formations that dot the landscape (don’t worry, it IS extinct). One of the most famous of these rock formations is the Druidenstein, created about 25 million years ago!
A lot of the basalt was quarried to help create roads. It’s believed that the cone dome at the highest peak was lopped off during the Thirty Years’ War (1618 -1648) for strategic reasons. The dome survived the war (erosion and volcanic activity, too) but it couldn’t survive a lightening strike in 1979 — now supported by six concrete beams.
There’s more here in Neunkirchen to keep you active in the Siegerland countryside. The Kurnstertal is a fabulous local park, great for a barbecue. Or, climb up the Pan Mountain Tower for great views of Neunkirchen’s forests.
Neunkirchen also has an indoor pool (with a pizzeria if you get hungry) and an outside pool with a beach volleyball court (to help you work up that appetite).
Visit the Hagen Outdoor Museum that takes a look back into the technology of yesteryear. Another one of Neunkirchen’s more interesting museums is its East German History Museum, for a look at what life was like behind the Iron Curtain. There are also mining museums located in nearby Herdorf and Wilnsdorf, fitting since Neunkirchen is an old mining town.
After all that sightseeing around town (and hiking around volcanoes), you’ve earned that right enjoy a night of cabaret, classical music, or theater that’s always going on here in town.
