Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm: Mining, Fossils and History

Mining history in the mine and along the trail

The Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf visitor mine includes a mining trail with numerous information boards about the area’s mining history. The visitor mine offers one-hour guided tours of the Mühlenberger Stollen. During the tour, you’ll learn about ore mining in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology. You’ll encounter two ways of presenting the subject: the trail uses information boards, while the tour connects geological foundations with practical applications. Check the mine’s seasonal operating information when planning your visit.

Fossils and military history

The Devonium in Waxweiler presents complex aspects of palaeontology and the science of fossil life in a playful way. The difference from the mine lies in the subject matter: there, you’ll learn about ore mining, from geology to applied technology; here, the focus is on fossil life.

The Westwall Museum in Irrel is housed across three accessible floors of a bunker. Its underground corridors and rooms contain a military history exhibition. The perspectives therefore differ, too: the Devonium presents knowledge about fossil life, while the bunker and underground exhibition rooms of the Westwall Museum provide a historical setting.

Rittersdorf Moated Castle and country cooking

Rittersdorf Moated Castle is around 700 years old and has remained almost unchanged since it was built. It offers an impressive picture of late medieval and Renaissance-era domestic culture. Its focus on homes and architecture offers a different perspective from mining, palaeontology and military history. The castle also houses a privately run restaurant serving refined country cuisine. If you’re planning to dine there, check the restaurant’s operating information before your trip.

Rhineland-Palatinate in the wider travel picture

In the wider travel destination of Rhineland-Palatinate, Trier turns the spotlight on Roman history. The city was first a Roman colony, later an important trading centre and, at the end of the 3rd century, one of the capitals of the Tetrarchy; at the time, it was known as “the second Rome.” North of the Alps, Trier preserves an exceptional concentration of significant Roman buildings and traces of Roman settlement. The Porta Nigra is considered a unique achievement of 2nd-century Roman architecture.

The Rhineland-Palatinate Open-Air Museum offers another perspective on everyday history: more than 40 faithfully reconstructed historic houses stand across a 35-hectare site. The museum shows how people lived, made their homes and worked over the past five centuries. Its programme includes hands-on activities and themed event days, such as a museum festival and a garden and planting day; dates vary.

The Moselle Cycle Route offers another way to explore Rhineland-Palatinate. It follows the Moselle for 248 kilometres from the tripoint near Perl to its confluence with the Rhine in Koblenz. The route runs mainly on paved, largely traffic-free and mostly flat sections. If you’re including the cycle route in your plans, check the route information with the operator, as it may be updated.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kyllburg, Neuerburg, Prüm, Schönecken, Sellerich, Übereisenbach, Zendscheid, Wallersheim, Rommersheim, Sinspelt, Bitburg, Arzfeld, Irrel, Waxweiler, Schwirzheim, Wawern, Schlausenbach, Schloßheck, Seffern, Scharfbillig, Speicher, Weilerbach, Winterspelt, Wißmannsdorf, Wilsecker, Wolsfeld, Sevenig Bei Neuerburg, Wallendorf, Hütterscheid, Irrhausen, Rittersdorf, Oberstedem, Hamm, Weinsheim, Burbach, Seiwerath, Sankt Thomas, Niederweis, Ammeldingen Bei Neuerburg, Krautscheid, Echtershausen, Mettendorf, Röhl, Hütten, Giesdorf, Kesfeld, Geichlingen, Utscheid, Niederpierscheid, Euscheid, Mützenich, Prümzurlay, Auw bei Prüm.

To the wider travel overview: Rhineland-Palatinate.