The imposing castle dominates the image of Blankenheim. Finds indicate that a Roman fort previously stood here. Gerhard I built the castle in 1115 above the source of the Ahr. Today the castle complex serves as a youth hostel and can be visited on request. Blankenheim Castle is located directly on the hiking trails Burgen-Route and Eifelsteig stage 6.
Today's St. Apollonia Chapel in Hirten (Untere Dorfstraße 2) was built in 1785 in honor of the holy Apollonia and solemnly consecrated on July 12, 1785.
This Eifel view on the "Simonsley" (415 meters above sea level) offers you an impressive panorama above the Rursee in a south-easterly to south-westerly direction, with the "Kermeter", a core area of the Eifel National Park, drawing the eye.