Philippsheim: Kyll History, Roman Remains and Trails

Philippsheim lies in the Kyll Valley and brings together the region’s landscape and traces from several periods. Remains of a Roman palatium, an orally transmitted founding tradition and the history of the railway offer different ways to explore the town. There are also marked trails, three local hiking routes and opportunities for fishing. If you are weighing up different interests for a shared stay, local history and outdoor activities come together here.

The Kyll, Stone and Historic Traces

An orally transmitted founding tradition links the settlement of Philippsheim with fishing on the Kyll. The river has also shaped local history in another way: quarrying Kyll sandstone on both sides of the river contributed to the settlement’s expansion. In this way, a traditional tale about fishing and an industry associated with the town’s growth stand side by side.

Remains of a Roman palatium are among the historic points of interest in Philippsheim. The prehistoric rampart at Leyköpfchen is also located near the town. History enthusiasts can therefore explore different periods: Roman remains in Philippsheim and a prehistoric site nearby.

The Railway and the Development of the Town

The history of the railway adds a more recent chapter to these older traces. From 1871, Philippsheim served as a railway station for 15 surrounding towns. From 1900, the Binsfeld-Philippsheim-Kleinbahn created numerous jobs; the “little train” remained in use until 1965. The railway thus represents both connections with nearby towns and changes in working life. There are bicycle and car parking spaces at Philippsheim station. Check the facilities information again before you travel.

Hiking and Fishing

Philippsheim offers fishing and hiking on marked trails. Three local hiking routes cover a total of 18 kilometres. This lets you take two different interests into account when planning: time on the hiking trails or fishing as a focus in its own right. If you are weighing up different ideas for your free time together, you will find more than one way to enjoy the outdoors here.

In the wider destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm

The wider destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm has other places of interest with their own distinct themes. The Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf visitor mine has a mining trail with numerous information panels on the area’s mining history. One-hour guided tours through the mine explain ore extraction in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology. Check the seasonal opening times before your visit.

The Devonium in Waxweiler presents complex concepts in palaeontology and the science of fossil life in a playful way. The Westwall Museum is housed on three accessible floors of a bunker; its underground tunnels and rooms contain a military history exhibition. The water castle of Rittersdorf, around 700 years old, offers a different perspective on building and residential culture. It has remained almost unaltered since it was built and conveys a vivid picture of late medieval and early modern Renaissance residential culture. The castle has a privately run restaurant serving refined regional cuisine; check whether it is open before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Orenhofen, Preist, Hosten.

View the wider travel guide: Speicher.