Gemstones - symbols of power and wealth, with mystical qualities - have fascinated people since time immemorial. The unusual Gemstone Garden in Kempfeld is a remarkable attraction that gives visitors an insight into the hidden beauty of this region. More than 100 uncut stones set on posts can be touched and admired. Small information boards give details and short anecdotes about each one, including the therapeutic effects of some stones. The German Gemstone Museum and the museum beneath the legendary little Church of the Rock, the famous landmark of Idar-Oberstein are equally fascinating. Many other treasures normally hidden deep underground can be admired at Fischbach copper mine, the gateway to the German Gemstone Route.
Visitors can even taste fine Nahe region wines below the ground. The picturesque village of Herrstein with its cluster of quaint buildings is like a treasure chest in itself. Wildenburg Castle near Kempfeld is a particular favourite among walkers and nature lovers: it has a history trail, a forest discovery trail and a large wildlife enclosure - all ideal places for a stroll. The many attractions along the German Gemstone Route make it an excellent way for visitors to experience the world of precious stones at first hand, and many are simply unable to resist putting on their walking boots or hopping on their bike for a while somewhere along the route, because they just cannot wait to explore further. The region's leisure activities are as multi-faceted as the Gemstone Route itself, with wine and natural attractions of every shape and form featuring as much as gemstones and glittering caves. Every two years a "Gemstone Queen" is crowned, and she promotes the German Gemstone Route around Idar-Oberstein and represents the precious stones and jewellery industry at public functions.
