This small German town in the Eifel region has a Benedictine Abbey from 721 AD and preserves the sandals of Jesus Christ as sacred relics in its treasury.
In the small town of Prüm, Germany's Rhineland-Palatinate region, you can walk past the pink-peach walls of a 1,300-year-old abbey, ski down the slopes of Schwarze Mann in winter, or join locals for beer jug lifting competitions during the eight-week summer festival. The surrounding Eifel mountains have cycling paths that take you through beech forests and past medieval castle ruins, including the 40-kilometer Eifel-Ardennes-Venn route.
Getting to Prüm
Federal highways B265 and B410 intersect in Prüm's center, while the A60 autobahn passes nearby. The closest airports are Dahlemer Binz (22 km) and Bitburg Air Base (31 km). You can drive from Cologne in about 90 minutes, and regular bus services connect Prüm to neighboring towns and cities.
The Prüm Abbey
The twin-towered abbey, built in 721, rises from the town center with its distinctive pink-peach colored walls. Inside the Baroque church, you'll find the Sandals of Christ, which date back two millennia. The abbey complex contains the tomb of Lothar I, a former Holy Roman Emperor, and the monastery buildings now serve as the Regino-Gymnasium secondary school.
Summer Festival Season
From late June through August, the Prümer Sommer brings weekly events to the town center. The festival begins with a market and street musicians, followed by eight Thursday evening gatherings at the town hall. You can participate in traditional contests like beer jug lifting and trunk sawing, while fashion shows and dance performances fill the evening programs.
Winter Sports and Activities
At the Schwarze Mann ski area near Prüm, you'll find slopes for beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers during the snow season. Children and families can go tobogganing in designated zones, and cross-country skiers can use the prepared tracks. You can rent winter sports equipment from local shops, and follow marked winter hiking paths to reach neighboring villages.
Cycling and Walking Routes
The Eifel-Ardennes-Venn Cycle Route stretches 40 kilometers through the region. Starting in Prüm, you'll pedal along the river valley, climb through beech forests, and pass the stone walls of Burg Schönecken's medieval ruins. For shorter rides, take one of the circular routes branching from the main trail to explore the valleys and hilltops.
