Beeth­oven’s 9th sym­phony at the Ber­gisch cathed­ral

And suddenly the Altenberg cathedral goes quiet. Daylight is streaming through the gothic west-window, the biggest leaded window north of the alps, and lets the former abbey church shine bright. The strings let Beethoven’s 9th symphony sound, enough to warm your heart. How lucky the Cistercian monks once chose this idyllic river valley to build their monastery – and that here, today, like every year, top-class musicians play at the Altenberger Kultursommer. The concert at the cathedral is part of a diverse programme taking place at different spots along the Dhünn, including pop-concerts, readings and cabaret shows. No matter whether you’re in the brightly lit cathedral or enjoy the beautiful sunshine at castle Strauweiler: The series of events invites you to a ravishing cultural experience in the Bergische – right between heaven and earth.

The gate to the Bergisches Land

Odenthal with its idyllic valleys with splashing brooks, green hills, and bright sunlight peeking through the treetops forms the gate to the Bergisches Land. Various hiking and cycle paths combine nature with culture while telling of times long ago. Among them are the Mühlenroute, leading through valleys with brooks to a multitude of mill sites, or the Hexenroute past old witches’ dancing places and a fairy-tale forest. Historical eye-catchers can be discovered on a stroll through the historical old towns of Odenthal and Altenberg as well. Visitors may be caught up in the charisma of the Bergisches Land in perfect quietude here.

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