Scharfbillig: Himmeroder Hof, St. Lukas and Rohrmaar
Accommodation in Scharfbillig
If you are considering Scharfbillig as a travel destination and are looking for a hotel, choosing this location brings together two distinct areas of interest: architectural and church history, and a protected wetland. Himmeroder Hof and St. Lukas bring the historical themes to life; Roman archaeological sites date back even further. Rohrmaar offers a different focus, as its protected status comes with clear rules for visitors. You can therefore base your choice of destination on whether your trip should focus more on historic architectural styles and archaeological sites or on a nature reserve.
Himmeroder Hof and its architectural history
Himmeroder Hof at KirchstraĂźe 14 is the western farmyard of the Cistercian Abbey of Himmerod. A former, characteristic regional longhouse farm, it combines residential and farm buildings beneath offset roofs. The farmstead was built using regional stone construction; its walls are about 90 centimetres thick. The former building includes a sandstone portal dating from 1733 with a shell niche.
Other surviving features of the former Himmeroder Hof include a vaulted cellar with a red sandstone staircase, a well, a bakehouse, wash stones, stone and oak staircases, and a monumental smoke hood. The Takenanlage (open-hearth fireplace) is especially large: it measures 2.50 metres high and 2.12 metres wide. The former farmstead is listed as an individual monument in the register of cultural monuments of the Eifelkreis.
Roman archaeological sites and St. Lukas
Scharfbillig’s Roman archaeological sites include a settlement at Auf Birkenhecken dating from the 3rd or 4th century; burial mounds are located in the Vor der Hardt area. The Catholic branch church of St. Lukas was built in 1818 and is dedicated to Saint Luke. A Baroque putto’s head is set into the inner west wall above the door. St. Lukas has been a protected monument since 3 March 1986.
The history of the high altar is also linked to several places, although some details have only been passed down: according to oral tradition, the altar came from the collegiate church in Kyllburg; it may have been made in the workshops of Himmerod Abbey in 1760. The church thus offers another historical focus alongside the Roman archaeological sites and the former farmyard.
Rohrmaar: nature conservation and visitor rules
The Rohrmaar nature reserve near Scharfbillig covers 2.21 hectares. It protects a nutrient-rich wetland that provides a habitat and refuge for characteristic endangered wetland species, especially birds and insects. The current restrictions are important when planning your visit: entering or driving through the protected area is prohibited. Dogs may not run off-leash or be trained there. Check the latest local information on the nature reserve regulations before visiting.
More to explore in Eifelkreis Bitburg-PrĂĽm
The wider travel destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm offers further cultural and historical attractions. At the Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf visitor mine, one-hour tours introduce you to ore mining in Bleialf, from geology to practical technology. The visitor mine also has a mining trail with numerous information boards about the area’s mining history. Check the latest tour dates before your trip.
At the Devonium in Waxweiler, complex topics in palaeontology and the science of fossil life are presented in a playful way. Unlike Scharfbillig’s Roman archaeological sites and historic buildings, the mine focuses on mining history and technology, while the Devonium highlights palaeontology and fossils.
Discover more destinations: Sellerich, Arzfeld, Kyllburg, Oberstedem, WiĂźmannsdorf, Ăśbereisenbach, Rittersdorf, Seiwerath.
Go to the overview of the wider destination: Eifelkreis Bitburg-PrĂĽm.
