Happy TravellerWelcome to Wegberg, the northernmost town in the district of Heinsberg in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This charming town is situated between Mönchengladbach in the northeast and Erkelenz in the southeast, with the town of Rheindahlen to the east. Wegberg is located in the Naturpark Maas-Schwalm-Nette, a nature and wildlife park hugging the border to the Netherlands. Its name derives from the three rivers that define its boundaries.
Wegberg has a rich history dating back to the reign of Otto I in 966. The many castles and defense structures that dot the area are indications of a history of martial as well as raiding forays in and around Wegberg. One infamous stronghold that remains the focal point of many anecdotes is the castle of a robber baron located in nearby Gripekoven. The castle with its walls and swampy trenches was deemed impregnable until 1354, when it was successfully besieged and razed. Today, only a small hill hints at its former location.
Wegberg is home to many interesting attractions. The local Flachsmuseum (Flax Museum) depicts the legacy of flax in the city’s agricultural history. The Museum für europäische Volkstrachten shows regional costumes of Europe. The township of Wildenrath is home to a permanent exhibition, titled Bionic. The River Schwalm features many historic watermills, many of which are in good shape and often used as hotels or restaurants.
Special mention must be made of the Grenzlandring (border-region ring). Completed in 1938 or 1939 for World War II strategic reasons, the 9 km long egg-shaped oval road that circles Wegberg and its neighboring township Beeck gained international renown as a racing track with its five events between 1948 and 1952, attracting up to 300,000 spectators. The Grenzlandring was falsely claimed by some German media to be the world’s fastest racing track until a fatal accident happened on 31 August 1952, putting an immediate end to its use. Today, it serves in distributing road traffic away from the inner city, minimizing congestion and there is nothing left that reminds of its rather short motor sports history.
Wegberg was the home of an RAF hospital from 1953 to 1996. The RAF Hospital Wegberg was a hospital located in Wegberg, near the Holtmühlenweiher with its ancient watermill called Holtmühle. It was opened as a fully functioning general hospital in 1953 and closed in 1996. A small mental health unit remained and the offices were used for the administration of the British Forces Germany Health Service. These facilities moved to JHQ Rheindahlen and the hospital buildings and grounds were handed over to the German authorities in October 2010.
Wegberg is twinned with Echt-Susteren, Netherlands and Maaseik, Belgium. Notable people from Wegberg include German politician Udo Pastörs, Welsh footballer David Phillips, Welsh footballer Alan Neilson, British actress and singer Nicole Faraday, British politician Chris Clarkson MP, and Rugby Union Coach Simon Carlton Rhodes.
Come and explore the hidden gem of Wegberg, Germany, and discover its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering local cuisine. You won’t be disappointed!
