Kreuzau, municipality in the Düren district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Kreuzau is a town of about 18,000 people in the Düren district of North Rhine-Westphalia, located along the Rur river. The municipality covers about 42 square kilometers and grew from several villages that merged over time, each maintaining its own character with local houses, shops, and green spaces throughout.
Kreuzau first appeared in written records in 1319 under the name 'Auwe superior', showing the area had been settled for a long time. By the mid-1400s, the town took its present name when the old place name was combined with a church dedicated to the Holy Cross, though archaeological finds prove people lived in the region much earlier.
The name Kreuzau came from combining an old place name with a church dedicated to the Holy Cross, which still shapes the town today. Walking through the old village centers, you see traditional stone houses and narrow streets that reflect how people have lived and worked together for many generations.
The town sits about 5 kilometers south of Düren and is easy to reach by local roads, with the nearby Rur river offering good opportunities for walks and exploration. Visitors find small cafes, shops, and green spaces throughout the different village centers, making it easy to explore the area on foot.
The Weinfest autumn wine festival revives an old tradition of winemaking in the Rurtal valley and attracts both locals and visitors. The festival shows how a small community keeps historical practices alive and celebrates them in modern times.
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