Mettlach

Mettlach is a municipality spread across the Saar River valley, combining ancient abbey buildings with modern museums and galleries dedicated to ceramic manufacturing. The location encompasses several small villages and districts, each with access to riverside trails and natural surroundings.

A Benedictine monastery was founded here during the medieval period and later converted into a ceramic factory in the early 1800s. This transformation established the area as a center for porcelain and tile production, leaving a lasting mark on the landscape and economy.

The abbey church anchors the village center as a visible reminder of monastic life, and old stone buildings throughout town preserve traces of that religious heritage. The ceramics museums tell stories of craftsmanship traditions that shaped daily life and work in this region for generations.

Spring through autumn is the best season to explore the hiking paths and river activities, as weather conditions are most favorable. The main villages have basic facilities including parking areas, pedestrian zones, and bus connections linking the different settlements.

A treetop walkway leads through the forest canopy to an observation tower overlooking a distinctive river loop where the Saar makes a dramatic hairpin bend. This elevated path offers an unusual vantage point rarely found in the region and shifts how visitors see the surrounding landscape.

Location: Merzig-Wadern

Elevation above the sea: 219 m

Shares border with: Manderen-Ritzing

Website: https://mettlach.de

GPS coordinates: 49.49167,6.59722

Latest update: December 6, 2025 22:06