Bodenbach: Roman history, trail markers and geology

Those interested in Bodenbach will encounter a range of subjects: the Roman Villa of Bodenbach, religious trail markers and the geology of the Bodenbach Drees. The changes that can be traced at the villa are particularly vivid. When planning a trip, it is also helpful to distinguish the specific places and topics from the broader context of the Volcanic Eifel.

Roman history and historic buildings

The Roman Villa of Bodenbach originated as a civilian estate in the 1st century AD, which was converted into a military fortification in the 3rd century. Its reconstructed ground plan and information panels present it as an open-air museum in the landscape. This brings two distinct phases of use together at a single archaeological site. History enthusiasts can follow the transition from civilian life to military use here.

The Bodenbach–Bongard themed circular trail passes a Roman villa and a Celtic settlement. The combination of Roman and Celtic remains is what makes the trail so archaeologically appealing.

Bodenbach’s Catholic church also reflects several phases of construction. The Neoclassical hall church dates from 1829; it was extended and raised in 1950. The dates make the difference between the original construction and the later alteration clear.

Religious trail markers and their dates

The Stations of the Seven Sorrows of Mary trail lies south of Bodenbach. Its shrine-like stations were donated in 1816 and renewed in 1916. Seven wayside crosses on Kollengasse, in the direction of Bongard, are also dated 1816; they were restored in 1916 and 1999. The dates show different moments in their preservation: the stations were both donated and renewed, while two restorations are recorded for the wayside crosses. When planning a themed trip, these religious landmarks can be considered alongside the Roman and archaeological sites.

The Bodenbach Drees: spring and rock

The Bodenbach Drees is a carbonated spring in the valley of the Bongard stream. The water emerges from Lower Devonian sedimentary rocks. A geological information panel explains the area’s geology, its volcanic past and the mineral composition of the water. The spring’s protection also has its own history: since 1993, a ring of basalt columns has protected the Drees, which lies lower down, from being silted up during flooding. The Drees thus brings together a specific type of spring, a named rock layer and a visible protective ring.

Access is via the L70 and L72. Park on the road between Bodenbach and Borler; from there, follow the sign “Zum Drees” (To the Drees). As road conditions can change, check the route before you travel.

Bodenbach in the wider context of the Volcanic Eifel

As a broader travel destination, the Volcanic Eifel offers a wider geological context. To date, 77 maars have been identified there; 350 eruption centres have also been counted, around 270 of them from the more recent phase. Ulmen Maar marks the most recent volcanic eruption in the Volcanic Eifel, which took place about 10,900 years ago. These figures describe the region and provide a broad frame of reference for geological topics relevant to the Volcanic Eifel.

When looking for accommodation, you can first decide what your main focus will be: are you primarily interested in the archaeological and religious landmarks mentioned here, or would you like to plan your trip around the Volcanic Eifel as a whole?

Discover more destinations

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Return to the main travel overview: Volcanic Eifel.