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Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Städteregion Aachen

Monschau

Rest area and Smuggler Monument Mützenich

Discover

Places to see

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Städteregion Aachen

Monschau

Rest area and Smuggler Monument Mützenich

Recommended by 50 cyclists out of 52

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Naturpark Hohes Venn-Eifel

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Location: Monschau, Städteregion Aachen, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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Top cycling routes to Rest area and Smuggler Monument Mützenich

4.7

(124)

415

riders

1. Along the Rur into the High Fens

51.0km

03:18

600m

Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Expert

4.7

(46)

199

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2. Venn and Rur landscapes near Monschau

35.7km

02:17

420m

Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.6

(17)

riders

3. Imgenbroicher Venn – High Fens Nature Reserve loop from Konzen

15.7km

00:59

130m

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Tamara (unterwegs)

July 10, 2023

Not far from the German-Belgian border is this rest area at the smugglers' memorial near Mutzenich. The bronze statue commemorates the coffee smuggling that flourished here in the post-war years. Up to 1,000 tons were smuggled across the border.

Translated by Google •

Oliver🌍

March 9, 2024

The bronze statue at the old customs office in Mützenich is a reminder of the post-war years of the former smugglers' village Mützenich, which was characterized by coffee smuggling. It looks back on an exciting and exciting past and has some curious stories. After the Second World War, the Vennbahn became a German exclave on Belgian territory. Coffee smuggling flourished in the village because it was in the center of the smuggling lines. By 1953, it was estimated that up to 1,000 tons were smuggled across the border. Against this background, for example, in 1952 a total of 52 smugglers were awaiting trial in the "Klingelpütz" in Cologne, a well-known prison at the time, 45 of whom came from Mützenisch alone. However, it was a more passive smuggling gang, as no one was armed and in the event of a confrontation they would flee. Pastor Scheidt, Mützenich's young Catholic pastor, was also impressed by this. He visited his little sheep who were in custody not only to give them comfort. Because he also gave you the advice to keep your mouth shut, “because no one needs to put the other person on the spot.” One of the reasons for the tongue-in-cheek support of the smugglers' souls was that the Mützenichers "always think European" because of their close ties to Belgium.

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Elevation 620 m

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Wednesday 24 September

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Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

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Take Me There

Location: Monschau, Städteregion Aachen, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Rest area and Smuggler Monument Mützenich

1. Along the Rur into the High Fens

2. Venn and Rur landscapes near Monschau

3. Imgenbroicher Venn – High Fens Nature Reserve loop from Konzen

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