Idarbach Nature Path

www.vg-herrstein.de The Idarbach Nature Path links the recreational areas "Allenbacher Weiher," the "Krahloch GeoPark," and the "Celtic Ringwall Ringkopf." The wooden panels offer information on nature and geology, pointers on the commercial use of the Idarbach and gives a demonstration of the diverse flora and fauna.

Krahloch GeoPark

www.vg-herrstein.de Easily understood, colorful wooden panels at different stations provide illustrative material and give information about geology, stones, mining, and nature. The view into the world of miners in the old roofing slate mine is exciting, as is an "excursion" into the life of a brook.

Ringkopf

www.allenbach-hunsrueck.de The "Ringkopf" is a natural-stone fortification from the Celtic era (around 520 BC) on a quartzite ridge of the Schwarzwälder Hochwald, 2132 ft/650 m high. The course of the wall ring with the old tumbled-down outer walls and the path with the gate opening can still be visualized today.

Historical Flour and Oil Mill

www.allenbach-hunsrueck.de The history of this mill can be traced back to 1450. It was a part of the copper smelter and served until 1900 to produce flour and oil. The mill for husking grain, grinding grain for flour, and crushing grain for groats is still completely preserved and functional.

Wildenburg Castle

www.vg-herrstein.de Wildenburg Castle was built by Wildgrafen Friedrich von Kyrburg in 1330. After a long and eventful history of destruction, rebuilding, and changes of ownership, the castle ruin was supplemented by the game preserve. The lookout tower affords a magnificent panorama across the high plateau.

Game Preserve

www.vg-herrstein.de The game preserve at the foot of Wildenburg Castle is set in the splendid forest and mountain landscape. The large preserve offers a rewarding stay: red deer, fallow deer, wild boar, and muflon sheep. The preserve has created natural surroundings and living space for the animals, space consistent with their natural living conditions in the wild.

Gemstone Garden

www.edelsteingarten.kempfeld.de Visitors can admire and touch more than 100 raw gemstones, presented on posts. Small explanatory panels provide the necessary background information, not leaving out the healing effects of certain stones or small anecdotes about the stones.

The Mörschied Burr (2120 ft/646 m)

www.vg-herrstein.de The stone massif formerly served for defense and is popular today because of the possibilities for hiking and for the grandiose view. The Mörscheid Burr is an especially typical example of Taunus quartzite and its erosion in the western Hunsrück. Together with the natural vegetation, the field of stone blocks offers an impressive sight.

Stone Guestbook

www.vg-herrstein.de Since 1976, the Stone Guestbook has been a reminder of the numerous prominent visitors on the German Gemstone Road. The guests from politics, the business world, and culture have signed stones set up along a trail. The hiking trail runs without ascent.

Historical Center

www.vg-herrstein.de The historical center of Herrstein is an inviting place for strolling into the past. Originally, the medieval town gate in the mighty clock tower was the only entry into the village with its rights to a market. The richly decorated half-timber houses date from the 15th to the 18th century.

The Biehl Historical Water-Driven Gemstone Mill

www.alte-edelsteinschleiferei.de The historical water-driven gemstone mill is now in the 4th generation of operation. Visitors learn how the gemstone cutter formerly sanded and polished agates and other gemstones as he lay on a tiltable stool.

Copper Mine

www.besucherbergwerk-fischbach.de Formerly one of the most important copper mines in Germany, the mine demonstrates how ore was mined in the Middle Ages. In the huge "rooms," sometimes 100 ft/30 m high, left behind where the ore has been extracted, visitors can learn about the origins of copper ore. The mining techniques employed in ore extraction is demonstrated by groups of diorama figures.

Bosselstein Castle and Oberstein Castle

www.idar-oberstein.de The ruin of Bosselstein Castle, erected by the Lords von Stein (Oberstein), was first mentioned in 1197. It was no longer occupied after 1600 and then fell into ruin. Oberstein Castle was built around 1320 and was the permanent residence of the Counts of Daun-Oberstein until 1624 and then an administrative seat. In 1855, the castle burned out. It is still being restored today, so that some restored rooms are already awaiting use.

Bosselstein Castle and Oberstein Castle

www.edelsteinmuseum.de The German Gemstone Museum offers gemstones in perfection in the most comprehensive gemstone museum in the world. Visitors can marvel at all the gemstones occurring worldwide in over 10,000 exhibits. Even the heritage-protected late 19th-century villa housing the gemstone museum is a treasure in itself.

Gemstone Adventure World (Edelstein-Erlebniswelt)

www.edelstein-erlebniswelt.de A mysterious cave-like landscape is presented with rippling springs and a fiery glowing volcano, creating magical plays of light and color. Fossils, million years old, can be found in a salt-crystal tunnel. The Gemstone Adventure World is located in Gottlieb Jeweler's, which offers additional attractions.

Steinkaulenberg Gemstone Mine

www.edelsteinminen-idar-oberstein.de In the only gemstone mine open to the public in Europe, a journey begins through a fascinating world full of brilliance and treasures. Along with the mine shafts for visitors, a research shaft is also available for scientific studies and excursions. In addition, visitors can search for raw gemstones in two areas.

Church in the Rock (Felsenkirche)

www.felsenkirche-oberstein.de The Church in the Rock was built between 1482 and 1484. A rippling spring, still visible in the church, is the explanation for the niche in the rock where the church was erected about 197 ft/60 m above the valley floor. Artistic treasures from the past are on display in the church

Historical Gemstone Mill

www.edelsteinminen-idar-oberstein.de In the Historical Gemstone Mill from 1634, the last water-driven gemstone millwheel on the Idarbach, the stone cutters/polishers demonstrate the cutting and polishing processes of former centuries. Visitors can also enjoy a multi-media show and a mineral exhibition room in the Historical Gemstone Mill.

Jakob Bengel Industrial Monument

www.jakob-bengel.de One of the few preserved operations of the jewelry and metal-working industry is located in the Jakob Bengel Necklace and Bijouterie Factory. In the historical manufacturing rooms, visitors are taken back to the era of mechanical production from 1870 to 1990, where economic development, social structure, and working conditions are presented.

Oberstein Old Town

www.idar-oberstein.de Oberstein's Old Town invites visitors to stroll and stay a while. The numerous jewelers, gemstone mills, jewelry and crafts shops, many of which are also open on weekends, attract visitors into something new daily.

Das Museum Idar-Oberstein

www.museum-idar-oberstein.de The Idar-Oberstein Museum presents its exhibition at the foot of the Church in the Rock. Visitors can find everything that has made Idar-Oberstein well known and famous. Moreover, the museum offers a section on the history of the town giving a historical insight into the past of the gemstone town.