Bonte Kerken Tour

"Bonte Kerke" is a dialect word from the Oberberg region and translates to "Colorful Church". This is the name given to the churches in the Bergisches Land region with their typical medieval ceiling paintings, which are now almost exclusively preserved in the Oberbergischer Kreis district.
The tour begins at the Bonten Kerke (Painted Church) in Wiedenest, surrounded by lush greenery. The route leads through small villages and along scenic roads to Marienhagen, a district of Wiehl. There, you'll find another of the beautifully decorated Bonten Kerken. The next stop is Marienberghausen, an idyllic half-timbered village in the health resort of Nümbrecht, where you can discover over 500-year-old murals. The fourth Bonte Kerke on this route can be found after further travel through the Oberberg region, in Müllenbach, a village steeped in history. A winding road leads you to the last of these churches in the tranquil village of Lieberhausen, near the Aggertal Dam.

There are plenty of places to stop for refreshments along the way, and also lots to do off the beaten track. For example, you can climb the Unnenberg observation tower – which is also a popular meeting point for motorcyclists. From up there, you have a fantastic panoramic view over the Oberbergisches Land and the Sauerland regions – and far beyond. A view of the sprawling Aggertalsperre reservoir from above is definitely worthwhile!