Sandstone shapes Kordel in two ways: as a geological feature of the valley slopes and as the basis of a former industry. Archaeological traces date back to the Late Palaeolithic. There are also opportunities for cycling and swimming, as well as the landscape around the Hochmark.
Valley, River and Sandstone
Kordel lies in a narrow basin in the lower Kyll Valley, shaped by the Kyll and the Welschbilliger and Kimmlinger streams. The steep, mostly forested valley slopes consist of Upper Bunter Sandstone, overlain by shell sandstone. On the eastern edge of town, the naturally preserved bed of the Kyll winds around Vogelskopf. This description of the landscape helps explain sandstone not only as a historic building material, but also as part of Kordel’s geological setting.
Sandstone and Traces of Different Eras
The exposure and quality of Voltzia sandstone led to the development of the sandstone industry in Kordel from 1870 onward. This history of use provides a distinct timeline alongside the town’s much older archaeological past. Genoveva Cave and the ring walls on the heights of the Kyll Valley are among the archaeological sites mentioned.
Genoveva Cave is about 15 metres wide, with its ceiling approximately 8 to 10 metres above the floor. Finds there span the Palaeolithic, Roman and medieval periods, through to modern times. Parts of the Roman Long Wall also lie within the boundaries of Kordel. These different periods show that the archaeological traces are not limited to a single era.
Another glimpse into the town’s history is the present-day parish church, built between 1865 and 1867 as a neo-Gothic hall church of grey-yellow sandstone. Nearby is Ramstein Castle, a Gothic ruin on a Bunter Sandstone outcrop in the Kyll Valley. These two buildings showcase sandstone in different historical contexts.
Swimming and Hiking
The Kyll Valley Pool is an outdoor swimming pool in the Kyll Valley, with spacious sunbathing lawns and four pools. The non-swimmers’ pool has a long slide, play equipment and a water fountain. Facilities also include a slackline, as well as opportunities to play beach volleyball, basketball and table tennis. Opening times may vary by season, and individual facilities may change; check the latest information before your visit.
Those interested in hiking will find another destination on the Hochmark: it is popular with hikers, and the local restaurants are popular places to stop. A reconstructed glass furnace is also worth seeing there. Swimming and sports activities in the Kyll Valley thus go hand in hand with hiking and a reminder of glassmaking.
Cycling and Getting There
The Kyll Cycle Route is listed as 121.4 kilometres long, from Losheimergraben to Trier, and classified as moderate. It passes through Kordel and continues along the Kyll towards Trier. Route details may be revised, so check the latest information when planning a specific ride. This makes the cycle route a longer-distance connection, distinct from the local opportunities for swimming and hiking.
Kordel is accessible by the Trier–Cologne railway and Federal Highway 422. For specific train connections, consult the current timetable. If you are planning a stay, the different highlights can help you choose where to visit: cycling along the Kyll, the Kyll Valley Pool, the Hochmark, or the historic and archaeological sites each appeal to different interests.
Discover more destinations: Mertesdorf, Föhren, Grimburg, Hentern, Wiltingen, Holzerath, Wincheringen, Konz
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