Zurlauben is legendary. And has been since at least the 17th century, when a small fishing village was established there. The origins of the inhabited riverside promenade, however, go back as far as the 7th century, when the St Symphorian Monastery was built here. While it fell victim to the Norman raid in the 9th century, the residential homes remained – and with them, summerhouses or covered arbours, which gave Zurlauben its name (Laube is German for ‘arbour’).
The many covered terraces today continue to make up part of Zurlauben’s charm. A number of restaurants have opened in the modern-day buildings, most of which date back to the 18th century. Nowhere else in the metropolitan area can you sit so relaxed and enjoy yourself right by the Moselle. Even the city realised this, and it took advantage of the urgently required dyke restoration to enhance Zurlauben with a large outdoor staircase and additional seating. So we should warn you: Allow a bit more time than originally planned. Because legends can’t be appreciated merely in passing.