Surrounded by vineyards in a bend of the Moselle River, Zeltingen-Rachtig is a sprawling municipality in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Archaeological excavations show evidence of human occupation dating back to around 3,000 BC before the arrival of the Trēverī people, who referred to the area as “Celtanc” and “Raptacum”.
Things to do in Zeltingen-Rachtig
On the eastern edge of the town centre is the Zeltinger Sonnenuhr, a historic sundial in the middle of a hillside vineyard. It lies directly across the Moselle from the Inkarter Jakobus Kapellche von 1661, which marks the location of Inkart, a town destroyed by the “black death”. Also nearby is the former monastery of Sankt-Marien-Brunnen.
Elevated views across Zeltingen-Rachtig can be enjoyed from the Sortengarten Zeltingen, where almost 50 different types of fruits and berries are grown. After the success of grape varieties on the sun-drenched slopes, the garden was established to determine whether other fruits would thrive in the area. Learn about the requirements for growth, including tolerance for high summer temperatures and winter frosts.
A short walk from Zeltingen-Rachtig is the oldest pre-Christian place of worship on the Moselle, which was marked with a “Trinity Column” by Saint Boniface in the 8th century. Located on the Paulsberg, the forested site is topped by the Grainskopf, an observation tower that offers views all the way to the Eifel mountain range on a clear day.
Getting around Zeltingen-Rachtig
Zeltingen-Rachtig is around 40 minutes' drive from Trier and two hours from Frankfurt. Frankfurt Airport is just over 1.5 hours away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Zeltingen-Rachtig and the town centre is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the municipality.