Nestled within what the locals poetically call the “Valley of Dawn,” Traben-Trarbach enjoys a unique geographical and cultural identity.
This title reflects not only the valley’s tranquil beauty but also its enchanting sunrises, which cast a soft, golden glow over the river, hills, and historic townscape.
The “Valley of Dawn” encapsulates the spirit of the area, blending its serene natural surroundings with its rich history and architectural elegance, making Traben-Trarbach a place of both inspiration and relaxation.
Traben-Trarbach's Stadtteile, besides Traben and Trarbach, are Litzig, Wolf, Bad Wildstein, Rißbach, Kautenbach and Hödeshof.
In the 17th century, the town was part of what was then known as Rhenish Franconia, a strategic area fought over by France and the Holy Roman Empire.
Seized by France in the 1683–1684 War of the Reunions, Traben was the location for the new fortress of Mont-Royal, constructed by Vauban, the leading military engineer of the period.
[3] The main ramparts were 30 metres (98 ft) high and 3 km (1.9 mi) long, with space for 12,000 troops; despite the enormous cost, it was demolished when the French withdrew following the 1697 Treaty of Ryswick and only the lower foundations are visible today.
[4] All today's Stadtteile – with the exception of a part of Kautenbach – belonged to the Hintere (English: rear, back, i.e. hinterland; Upper) County of Sponheim, whose main centre was Trarbach.
As they belonged to the "Hinder" County of Sponheim, the Reformation was introduced into Traben and Trarbach, with the town remaining even today mainly Evangelical, even though newcomers, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, have raised the Catholic share of the population markedly.
At these races, many world and European champions were crowned, among them, in 1964, the well known Berlin motorboat racer and builder Dieter König.
In Traben, across the river on the left bank is found the terminal station on the Moselwein-Bahn ("Moselle Wine Railway"), which runs to Bullay.
The old station building, built in 1904 on the model of old Traben timber-frame houses, is still standing and serves today as the mayor's seat and as an event venue.