Discover Preist: Church, rampart and country lanes

Preist can be explored through several layers of history: St. Cecilia’s Church dates to the 19th century, while the Rotlei rampart is classified as an Iron Age fortification. For days outdoors, the paved farm tracks around Preist are suitable for hiking and cycling. This brings local history together with outdoor activities, without making a stay revolve around just one focus.

Church and places of remembrance

Today’s St. Cecilia’s Church was built in 1867/68. Following extensive renovation, it was ceremonially reopened in 2025. The year of construction and the reopening mark different stages in the church’s history and give local history a concrete timeline.

The former tower of St. Cecilia’s Chapel is considered a landmark of Preist. In the cemetery, an old church tower steeped in legend is designated as a war memorial. The two historical references make their own distinct contributions: one is associated with the former chapel, the other with remembrance in the cemetery.

The Rotlei rampart and early history

Preist has an extensive prehistoric rampart complex. The Rotlei rampart is a well-preserved Iron Age fortification. It is located on a promontory projecting west above the Kyll, west of Preist’s sports ground. It covers an area of approximately 2.4 hectares.

Archaeological finds from the Rotlei rampart suggest that the eastern foreland of the fortification was settled. Its location, approximate extent and archaeological evidence thus shed light on different aspects of this prehistoric site.

Farm tracks and leisure

The paved farm tracks around Preist are suitable for hiking and cycling. This offers two ways to explore the area; the tracks are relevant both for a hike and for a bike ride. Tennis is also one of the local leisure activities.

The barbecue hut in Preist is suitable for celebrations. A nearby fishing pond offers a different kind of experience: it is associated with Preist and considered a place to relax on hot days. The activities range from outdoor exercise and tennis to a place for social gatherings or a quieter break in warm weather.

Culture in the wider destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm

The wider destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm offers further cultural attractions. At the Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf visitor mine, a mining trail with numerous information boards on the area’s mining history is part of the experience. A one-hour guided tour through the mine explains ore mining in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology.

At the Devonium in Waxweiler, complex topics in palaeontology and the scientific study of fossil life are presented in a playful way. 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 two museums focus on different subjects: fossil life and science at one, military history at the other.

The water castle in Rittersdorf, around 700 years old, has remained almost unchanged since it was built. It conveys a vivid impression of late medieval and early modern Renaissance residential culture. The castle also houses a privately run restaurant serving fine regional cuisine. Check whether the restaurant is open before visiting.

When choosing a destination and looking for accommodation, it helps to consider what you want to focus on: would you like to explore Preist’s local history and the paths around the village, or are you also interested in mining, museums and castle culture in the wider Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm? This makes it possible to weigh up different interests without committing to a fixed excursion route.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Philippsheim, Orenhofen, Hosten.

Go to the wider travel overview: Speicher.