Röhl between the Kyll, forests and history

Röhl between the Kyll, forests and history

Röhl lies southeast of Bitburg between the Kyll and the old Roman military road from Trier to Cologne. The municipal area extends to the Kyll and includes 325 hectares of forest. This gives the local description two clear starting points for your stay: the landscapes along the river and in the forest, and traces of a long history of settlement and construction. You can therefore get to know Röhl both through its landscape and its historic sites.

Early settlement traces and historic buildings

Röhl was first mentioned in 981 under the name “Rula.” Finds of stone axes indicate settlement predating this first written record. The year therefore marks the early written mention, not the beginning of settlement. Remains of Roman settlements and old iron-smelting works are also part of the history of the village and its municipal area.

Pfalzkyll farmstead lies in the northeastern part of Röhl and was once an estate belonging to Himmerod Abbey. Parts of the farmstead date from the 18th century; this dating applies to parts, not to the entire complex. As you walk through the streets, you can also see numerous old farmhouses. The Fatima Chapel was consecrated on December 8, 1957, and expanded in 1969/70. St. Martin in Röhl dates back to 1813 and was built over one of seven Roman settlement remains in the municipal area. You can thus encounter various historical periods, from early traces of settlement to chapels and farmsteads.

Hiking and practical information

The “From Rula to Sulmana” route is 19.8 kilometers long and is considered a challenging hike. You can start at the Röhl hiking parking lot. The route passes the Fatima Chapel and continues into the forest. This means that both a historic site and a stretch of forest lie along the route. Before setting out, check the route conditions and assess your personal fitness.

Parking options for the hike include the hiking parking lot in Röhl and St. Peter in Sülm. As parking rules can change, check them before you travel. The B51 towards Trier can help you find your way by car; road conditions may also change. Gasthaus Wings is an option for a break along the route. Confirm in advance whether you can stop for a meal.

More cultural attractions in the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm

The wider travel destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm offers other distinct attractions for travelers interested in culture. The Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf Visitor Mine offers one-hour guided tours where you can learn about ore mining in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology. The visitor mine also has a mining trail with numerous information boards about the area's mining history. As seasonal operating information applies to the tours, check dates and times in advance.

At the Devonium in Waxweiler, complex concepts in paleontology and the science of fossil life are presented in an engaging, hands-on way. The Westwall Museum is housed on three accessible floors of a bunker; its underground tunnels and rooms contain a military history exhibition. The approximately 700-year-old moated castle of Rittersdorf has remained almost unchanged since it was built and offers a glimpse of late medieval and Renaissance domestic culture of the early modern period. The castle has a privately run restaurant serving refined regional cuisine. Check before your trip whether the restaurant is open.

Discover more destinations: Wißmannsdorf, Mützenich, Irrhausen, Auw bei Prüm, Rommersheim, Bitburg, Schwirzheim, Kyllburg

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