Happy TravellerWelcome to Übach-Palenberg, a charming town located in the Heinsberg district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This town was formed by the merger of two villages, Palenberg and Übach. Übach-Palenberg is located at the border with the Netherlands, approximately 10 km east of Heerlen and 15 km north of Aachen. The river Wurm flows through the area, making it a picturesque location. With an area of 26.106 km², more than half of the area is agricultural, making it a great place to experience the countryside.
History buffs will be delighted to know that the village Palenberg was first mentioned in a written document in 867, while the village Übach was mentioned in 1172. In 1794, three Bürgermeistereien were created – Übach, Scherpenseel, Frelenberg – which were merged into one municipality in 1935. It received town rights in 1967. Coal mining was started in the town in 1917, until in 1962 the Carolus Magnus coal-mine was closed.
Übach-Palenberg is twinned with Rosny-sous-Bois, France (1990) and Landgraaf, Netherlands (2000). The coat of arms of the town is subdivided into three fields. In the top blue field are two crossed golden scepters with lily heads, with a black letter T on top. Both symbols refer to the Grundherrschaft Thorn. In the left golden field is a black lion, the symbol of Jülich, as both Frelenberg and Palenberg belonged to the county Jülich. To the right is a silver lion on a red field, the symbol of Heinsberg, which Scherpenseel historically belonged to. The coat of arms was granted on December 2, 1937, by the Oberpräsident of the province Rhineland.
Übach-Palenberg is home to several international companies such as SLV, Neuman & Esser, Schlafhorst, and Spanset. The company Solent GmbH & Co. KG has been producing chocolate, nuts, and dried fruit for various brands in Übach-Palenberg since 2010. Its sister company, Bonback GmbH & Co. KG, a wholesale bakery, produces at the same location.
Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or simply want to experience the German countryside, Übach-Palenberg has something for everyone. Come and explore this hidden gem and discover why it should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
