The landscape of the municipality of Bermel is shaped by the Elztal Valley and the 570-metre-high Hochbermel. Nature and local history offer two distinct ways to explore the area: protected areas and a former basalt quarry are central to its landscape, while St. Dionysius Parish Church marks a precisely dated chapter in local history. This makes it possible to consider Bermel’s natural and cultural points of interest separately.
Landscape and nature reserves
The Hochbermel Nature Reserve lies southeast of Bermel, covers around 65.7 hectares and was designated in 2001. West of Bermel, near the 500-metre-high Kleinbermel, lies the approximately 14-hectare Kleiner Bermel Nature Reserve, which was placed under protection in 1978. The similar-sounding names refer to different areas; their locations help distinguish them. At 570 metres, Hochbermel is 70 metres higher than the 500-metre-high Kleinbermel.
There is also a former basalt quarry on Hochbermel. It has been disused since the late 1970s and is now protected. A rare biotope has developed in the quarry and on the spoil heaps. Numerous different amphibians live there and in the adjacent beech high forest. Thus, the former basalt quarry and an amphibian habitat are distinct aspects of the landscape on Hochbermel.
Traces of different eras
A settlement already existed in Roman times in the Elztal Valley below Bermel. St. Dionysius Parish Church in Bermel marks a much later point in time: it was built in 1954/55 and consecrated on 14 October 1955. The settlement in the valley and the church in the village belong to different periods and places. The church can be precisely dated by its construction and consecration dates; the Roman settlement points to a much earlier history of settlement in the Elztal Valley.
Culture in the wider destination of Mayen-Koblenz
The wider destination of Mayen-Koblenz has other distinct cultural attractions. Genovevaburg Castle was built in 1280 by Heinrich von Finstingen, Archbishop of Trier. Sayn Abbey was founded around 1200, and its abbey church was consecrated in 1202; exterior paintings dating from around 1255 are considered the best-preserved of the High Middle Ages in Germany. Sayn Steelworks represents industrial heritage: it is an anchor point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage and the only monument in Rhineland-Palatinate to receive this distinction. Following restoration, modern exhibitions and multimedia displays invite visitors to explore; the steelworks also offers guided tours and creative workshops.
At the New Museum at Sayn Castle, Prince Alexander and Princess Gabriela offer visitors a private glimpse into the life of their aristocratic family. The Geyser Museum explains in five exhibition areas how the world’s highest cold-water geyser works. These examples from Mayen-Koblenz range from castle and monastery history to industrial heritage, courtly life and natural history interpretation.
Discover more destinations: Herresbach, Mülheim-Kärlich, Bassenheim, Gappenach, Urbar, Plaidt, Winningen, Brodenbach.
For the wider travel overview: Mayen-Koblenz.
