Kemper Werth

In 1620, Dutch forces claimed the Kemper Werth. They built a fort on this strategic Rhine promontory. They aimed to block Spanish and Palatine troops during the Eighty Years’ War. Back then, Kemper Werth wasn’t a promontory. It was actually two islands near the mouth of the Sieg River. The islands even earned a nickname, “Pfaffenmütze,” meaning priest’s cap. Some say the name mocked the Catholic clergy. Others believe it simply described the islands’ shape. The Dutch presence didn’t last long. By 1623, Spanish forces had seized the Kemper Werth fort. They occupied it until around 1629. Both the Dutch and Spanish occupiers demanded heavy tributes from nearby villages. This caused hardship for the local population. Centuries later, engineering work dramatically reshaped the Kemper Werth. In 1877, the Sieg River was rerouted to flow directly into the Rhine. This caused heavy silt deposits. Eventually, the islands merged. They became connected to the mainland by a causeway. This created the promontory we see today. The Kemper Werth is now part of a protected nature reserve, the Naturschutzgebiet Siegaue. During World War II, the area’s woods were cut down for fuel. Fast-growing hybrid poplars were planted in their place. Today, the Kemper Werth remains a popular spot. Visitors enjoy hiking and taking in the natural beauty. Efforts are underway to restore the area to a more natural state. This includes replacing the poplars with native trees. It also involves reversing some of the riverbank fortifications.