Braunweiler lies in the Naheland – the land lining both sides of the Nahe – right at the edge of the Gauchswald (forest) and therefore also the Hunsrück.

[4] The earliest settlement at what is now Braunweiler is believed to go back to the 9th century, when the village was made a settled island within the forest by land clearing.

From the time of its founding, the village was at first only called Wilre (Weiler in Modern High German, meaning simply “hamlet”).

After the Sankt Katharinen monastery was founded in 1217, having been endowed by Godefried, Provost of Kreuznach, Udo, Archpriest at Mannendal (Mandel), Friedrich, State Dean of Hilbersheim and their fellow citizens (the members of the state chapter), Braunweiler was distinguished from other hamlets by having the tag by Sante Katherinen added to its name.

Tritemus's writings, however, make it clear enough that this endeavour soon fell through and the lands that the abbot had bought were then yielded up to the villagers, against payment of certain fees.

During the centuries that followed, there was an ownership history that is still rather murky, but it can be assumed that the villagers went through a whole series of feudal lords, lessees and landowners to whom they had to, among other things, pay part of their harvest.

This privilege, however, came at a price, for Braunweiler was also expected to contribute to the town's defence and, for example, send a Schöffe (roughly “lay jurist”) to the court.

It also served several purposes after it was built anew in 1700, housing not only the mayor's dwelling and “office” but also a sewing parlour, a bakery and a jail.

A Weistum (cognate with English wisdom, this was a legal pronouncement issued by men learned in law in the Middle Ages and early modern times) has been handed down from 1654.

The Lords of Koppenstein owned, according to this, cropfields, meadows and vineyards within Braunweiler's limits totalling an area of 40 Morgen, which were let to villagers.

The pay kept rising over time and began with the schoolteacher's being allowed to use the disputed church meadow intensively, which in 1697 was converted into a cash payment of 5 Rhenish guilders.

[1] The municipality's arms might be described thus: Gules on ground vert Saint Quirinus of Neuss in full armour, in his sinister hand a lance with a forked pennon, in his dexter a shield, all argent.

The following are listed buildings or sites in Rhineland-Palatinate’s Directory of Cultural Monuments:[7] Rooted fast in Braunweiler's village life are many festivals and events that are rich in tradition.

Braunweiler is also well known for its Corpus Christi procession, with many visitors coming from throughout the region just to experience this ecclesiastical event.