Ehlenz: Natural Monument and Architectural History

Ehlenz lies in the valley of the Ehlenzbach stream at an altitude of about 320 metres above sea level. The landscape and architectural history give a visit here two distinct focuses: the Kleine Maar invites you to observe nature seasonally, while the building at Hauptstraße 15, which lies within the conservation area, St. Pankratius Church and finds from Ackerburg open up various historical themes. You can therefore plan your stay around whether you are most interested in discovering nature, architecture or traces of the Roman past.

Nature at the Kleine Maar

The Kleine Maar lies about one kilometre south of Ehlenz on the K 93. It has been designated a natural monument by ordinance since 1978. In August and September, there are seasonal opportunities to observe dragonflies there, including mating and egg-laying. This clearly defines the period for planning a nature-watching visit: the behaviours mentioned occur in late summer, not as part of a year-round programme. If you would like to combine different themes during your trip, the Kleine Maar offers a quiet, nature-focused experience alongside Ehlenz’s historical sites.

Architectural history and Roman traces

Within the conservation area, the building at Hauptstraße 15 dates from 1837; the associated barn dates from 1913. The two dates also make the relationship between the main building and its outbuilding tangible. St. Pankratius reveals a different sequence: the church has a late Romanesque tower with four storeys, while the three western bays of the nave were built in 1885/86. The tower and nave bays thus represent different construction phases. Anyone interested in architecture will find concrete features here that make it possible to trace this chronology.

Hidden remains of a Roman villa lie at Ackerburg, dating back approximately 1,800 years. Another connection to the history of finds is a loop-shaped gold ring from Ackerburg. It is kept in the collection depot of the Rheinisches Landesmuseum. The villa remains and the discovery of the ring offer different ways to explore the Roman past: one through a historical site, the other through a single object.

More things to explore in the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm

Near Ehlenz, the Bitburg Reservoir near Biersdorf offers a contrast to the natural monument and architectural history: pedal boating, rowing and paddling are possible there. The wider travel destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm offers further themes. The Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf visitor mine is linked to a mining trail, where numerous information boards explain the mining history of the area. One-hour tours through the mine cover ore extraction in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology. Check the current tour times before your visit.

The Devonium in Waxweiler presents complex ideas in palaeontology and the science of fossil life in a playful way. The Westwall Museum, in turn, is housed across three accessible floors of a bunker; its underground corridors and rooms contain a military history exhibition. In Rittersdorf, the water castle, around 700 years old, combines historic architecture with an insight into late medieval and early modern Renaissance domestic culture. It has remained almost unchanged since it was built. The castle also has a privately run restaurant serving refined regional cuisine; check that it is currently open before your visit.

You can choose accommodation to suit your preferred itinerary without treating these different places as a single sightseeing destination.

Discover more destinations

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