Discover Wallendorf: Nature and History

Wallendorf lies on the border with Luxembourg, at the confluence of the Sauer and Our rivers. The parish church of St. Peter and Paul stands in the village; the nearby Castellberg plateau is associated with Celtic and later settlement phases, as well as the Römerturm observation tower. The Naturpark Südeifel’s Circular Route No. 44 also passes through Wallendorf. If you are looking for a hotel in Wallendorf, you can plan your stay based on whether you are mainly interested in church architecture, archaeology or a circular hike.

Landscape and Circular Route

The 47.5-hectare “Langenberg and Bocksberg near Wallendorf” nature reserve lies within the Wallendorf district. It is intended to preserve and develop south-facing semi-dry grasslands on extremely steep slopes, dry meadow grasslands, orchards, dry-stone walls, shrub formations, areas of mixed broadleaf forest and spring hollows with adjoining wet meadows. These diverse habitats provide a home for numerous endangered animal and plant species. The protected areas thus range from dry meadows to wet spring areas.

The Naturpark Südeifel’s Circular Route No. 44 offers another perspective on the area: it runs from Gentingen via Niedersgegen to Wallendorf, then along the Our valley via Ammeldingen and back to Gentingen. The route is 15.9 km long. As route details may change, check the current route description before setting out.

Parish Church of St. Peter and Paul

The parish church of St. Peter and Paul was built in 1748. It is dedicated to the apostles Peter and Paul and, secondarily, to Saint Barbara. The single-nave building is made of rubble stone, with a three-sided chancel and a west tower. “Single-nave” describes a building with one church nave; the three-sided chancel describes the end of the choir area, while the west tower indicates its position in the western part of the building. The year of construction, dedication and architectural form each offer a different point of reference for understanding the church.

Castellberg: Celtic and Roman History

As early as the 4th century BC, a Celtic settlement covering more than 40 hectares was established on Castellberg above Wallendorf. Around 130 BC, the Celtic Treveri built a large, town-like oppidum there, protected by a massive encircling fortification wall. Before Gaius Julius Caesar’s Gallic War (58–50 BC), this oppidum was one of the Treveri’s most important settlements. Treveri coins, including silver and gold coins, were minted on Castellberg.

After the Roman conquest of Gaul, a temple precinct was built on the highest point of Castellberg around the turn of the era. A small settlement of merchants and craftspeople adjoined the sanctuary; it may also have included pilgrims’ quarters. The settlement on Castellberg was partly abandoned during the Germanic invasions in the 3rd century and completely abandoned at the end of the 4th century.

The wooden Römerturm observation tower stands at the edge of the Castellberg plateau. From there, the view extends across the valleys of the Sauer and Our rivers to neighbouring Luxembourg.

Annual Kappensitzung

The “Schmetterling” carnival club in Wallendorf holds a Kappensitzung every year. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the dates for the relevant edition; event details may vary.

Discover more destinations: Oberstedem, Wißmannsdorf, Bitburg, Schwirzheim, Wawern, Niederpierscheid, Wilsecker, Mützenich.

Return to the main travel guide: Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm.