Gerolstein

Gerolstein is a town in the Vulkaneifel district of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is part of the municipality called the Verbandsgemeinde Gerolstein. The town is a Luftkurort, meaning it is an official spa town. It offers health and wellness for visitors and residents. Gerolstein is known for its beautiful nature and relaxing environment. Many people visit to enjoy quiet, restorative experiences.

History

The town of Gerolstein has a long history. People lived there long ago, even from the Stone Age, as we can see in a cave called Buchenloch. During the Bronze Age, Celts used a nearby hill for safety. In Roman times, there were temples and homes, and some of these still exist today.

The name Gerolstein first appeared in 1115 when a castle was being built. The town became official in 1336. Sadly, fires destroyed much of the town in several years. During World War II, many buildings were destroyed, but the town became official again in 1953.

Bewingen

Bewingen is a small area north of Gerolstein. It was first mentioned in documents in 1218 and has a historic chapel dedicated to Saint Brice.

Büscheich-Niedereich

Büscheich-Niedereich is about 5 kilometers from Gerolstein. It was first documented in 1352 and later divided into two parts in 1661.

Politics

Gerolstein is the main town of the Verbandsgemeinde Gerolstein. This area includes several nearby places like Berlingen, Birresborn, and Densborn.

The town has a council with 24 members who are chosen in elections. The mayor, Uwe Schneider, is elected every five years.

Over time, some nearby areas have joined Gerolstein. These include Bewingen and Hinterhausen in 1969, and Büscheich and Gees in 1972.

Gerolstein has special partnerships with Digoin in France and Gilze en Rijen in the Netherlands.

Year of Election	SPD	CDU	Alliance 90/The Greens	FDP	ÖDP	FWG	WG Sturm im Wald e.V	BUV	Total
2024	7	15	3	2	1	9	3	-	40 Seats
2014	6	10	3	1	-	3	-	1	24 Seats
2009	6	11	2	1	-	–	-	4	24 Seats
2004	5	13	–	1	-	2	-	3	24 Seats

Transportation and economy

Gerolstein has a train station called Gerolstein station on the Eifelbahn railway line. Trains travel from Cologne through Euskirchen to Gerolstein and then to Trier. Several trains stop at Gerolstein.

Gerolstein, Bahnhofstraße 4: Gothic Revival railway station

The town is also linked by two old railway lines. One goes from Gerolstein through Daun to Kaisersesch and Andernach. The other goes from Gerolstein through Prüm to Sankt Vith.

A famous mineral water company, Gerolsteiner Brunnen, is based in Gerolstein.

The German army has a base in Gerolstein called the Eifel barracks (Eifelkaserne).

Culture and sightseeing

Gerolstein has many interesting places to visit. You can see the dried-up Papenkaule maar, the Buchenloch cave used by Stone Age people, and the Mühlsteinhöhlen or Eishöhlen caves near Roth. There is also a natural history museum and a local history museum. Not far away are the Gerolsteiner Dolomiten, limestone reefs formed millions of years ago.

Buildings

Main town

Gerolstein castle (Löwenburg) ruins, founded in the 14th century and destroyed in 1691.
Evangelical Church of the Redeemer, built between 1911 and 1913.
Saint Anne’s Catholic Parish Church, expanded several times since 1811.
Town fortifications from the 14th century.
Various historic houses and buildings from different centuries.

Bewingen

Saint Brice’s Catholic Church, built in the 17th century with later additions.
Estate along the street from 1914.

Büscheich

Saint John the Baptist’s Catholic Church, from 1670 with later additions.
Former school from 1906 and other historic houses.

Gees

Saint Nicholas’ Catholic Church, built in 1904.
Bakehouse from 1807 and other historic buildings.

Hinterhausen

Saint Lambert’s Catholic Church, built in 1867.
Village centre with a distinctive layout from the 19th century.

Lissingen

Burg Lissingen (castle), expanded from the 14th to 17th centuries.
Saint Margaret’s Catholic Church, built in 1932.

Michelbach

Saint Stephen’s Catholic Church, built in 1781.
Various historic houses and a wayside cross.

Müllenborn

Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, built in 1682.
Former railway station and several historic houses and wayside crosses.

Oos

Saint Roch’s Catholic Church, built between 1906 and 1907.
Wayside cross from 1619.

Roth

Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, built in 1892.
Various historic houses and a wayside cross.

Lissingen Castle

Lissingen Castle, near the Kyll river, dates back to 1280 and was never destroyed. It was divided into an upper and lower castle in 1559. The lower castle is now used for events and culture.

Erlöserkirche

The Evangelical Erlöserkirche (Church of the Redeemer) was built between 1907 and 1913. It has beautiful gold mosaics, round arches, and a large dome.

Villa Sarabodis

Villa Sarabodis is the name for the ruins of a Roman country house found in 1907. It dates back to the first century AD. You can see the foundation and a hypocaust in a protective building.

Juddekirchhof

The Juddekirchhof is an old Celtic-Roman worship site above Gerolstein. It was built in AD 124 and includes the remains of two temples.

Famous people

Gerolstein has been home to many well-known people. Maria Reese was a writer, journalist, and politician. Rolf Huisgen was a chemist who helped advance science. Other famous people from Gerolstein include politician and state minister Alois Mertes, moderator Matthias Krings, writer Michael Fisch, competition cyclist Johannes Fröhlinger, auto racer Christian Vietoris, and footballer and trainer Rudi Gores.

In popular culture

Gerolstein is the name of a pretend country in Central Europe. It appears in a funny opera called The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein by Jacques Offenbach. In another story called Les Mystères de Paris by Eugene Sue, the main character Rodolph is the Grand Duke of Gerolstein.