Swisttal, located in close proximity to Bonn, is comprised of ten other municipalities within the area. Each municipality gives the area of Swisttal its local flavor and history.
The villages of Swisttal are: Heimerzheim, Buschhoven, Duenstekoven, Essig, Ludendorf, Miel, Ollheim, Odendorf, Morenhoven, and Strassfeld. There are also the hamlets of Hohn, Vershoven, Moemerzheim, and Muettinghoven completing the area.
Make sure you take the time to explore each village, getting to know each one individually as each will give you something to savor.
Most are small farming villages with not more than 1000 residents respectively, although, the area itself as we know it has been around since mid 11th century. One of the oldest sites to see has been around since Roman Times; the Eifel Aquaduct, in the Buschhoven village, was built in 80 A.D.
Used by the Romans for 180 years, you can see remnants of one of the longest aquaducts made in the Roman Empire, stretching for 150 km. The original aquaduct ran from the Eifel Region to what is the modern day city of Cologne, supplying some 4.4 million gallons of water daily. So ingenious was the design that it was even built underground to protect the precious waterflow from damage and freezing temperatures.
The aquaduct in Buschhoven was destroyed in 260 A.D. by Germanic tribes and remained mostly buried for some 500 years. Buschhoven is also home to quite a few beautiful half-timbered homes and the Parish Church St. Catharina. Don’t forget to visit the Local History Museum with 600 exhibits of the local area.
The village of Heimerzheim has two castles for you to visit as well as the historic Jewish Cemetery and the Honor Cemetery with 193 graves of locals buried here from the time of the Second World War.
Morenhoven is home to one the unique “water castles.”
Also visit the 12th century chapel in Dünstekoven, once along the Pilgrimage Route; and Odendorf is home to a 12th century church.
Bear in mind… the area’s not all history, churches, and Romans, Swisttal is home to the Rhineland Nature Park.
No matter if you only stroll around all or only a few of the villages of Swisttal, you’ll just be really glad you did!
