Paris1972-Versailles2003

And this was a last minute trip. We were based south of Trier and road warrior trips in western Germany when we saw a beer wine festival in the town we were staying Oberemmel and the drink par excellence was the beer of Bitburg! So as curious as we are saw a map and realised was not far from us so we went for a visit. A nice ride pleasant anecdotes and not bad at all beer. This older post I am updating as an introduction to the town with one new picture to the blog. There is more of it in my blog. Therefore, this is my take on this is Bitburg !! Hope you enjoy it as I.

Let me tell you about our escapades to the neighboring country of Germany, and specifically, Bitburg. My sons interest in ,heavy metal music and German groups finally convince me to go. Of course, been there on business trips several times, but never on a personal trip until then. The boys love it of course, and we came to like it too, learning very well the full scope of opportunities for travel in compact Europe. And we went to Bitburg from our base just south of Trier.  Bitburg is the capital of the district Bitburg-Prüm in Rhineland-Palatinate State, 30 km (about 18 mi) north of Trier in the southern part of the Eifel.  The traditional talk is a local variation of Luxembourgish language.

A bit of history I like

Bitburg was founded about 2000 years ago as a crossing point on the road between Lyon and Cologne by Metz and Trier. Its first name was Vicus Beda. In the middle of the 10C, the town was acquired by the County of Luxembourg (later Duchy), then in 1443 by the Duchy of Burgundy. Since 1506 the city has successively belonged to the Spanish Netherlands, then to the Austrian Netherlands from 1714. The city fell into the hands of the French in 1794 (during the French revolution) and became in 1798 the seat of a the department of the Forests (fôrets). According to the agreements of the Congress of Vienna, the city was entrusted in 1815 to the Kingdom of Prussia, where it was successively city-arrondissement of the Grand Duchy of Bas-Rhin, then of the province of Rhineland-Prussian

Towards the end of WWII, Bitburg was devastated at 85% of its surface by bombardment and declared “Dead City” by the Americans. Although located in the French zone of occupation, the forces that stationed in the city after the war were made up of Luxembourg troops, replaced in 1955 by French forces stationed in Germany. In 1965, an American-controlled NATO support base was added. At the end of the 1980’s, the French withdrew their last men and NATO took over the former French barracks. After the Gulf War successively settled the 525e tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) “Bulldogs”, the 53rd TFS “Tigers” (after moved to Spangdahlem), the 22nd TFS “Stingers” and finally in 1994 Bitburg Airport was occupied by the 36th TFW.  The US present ended in 1994. Currently, only a few parts of the Bitburg barracks are still governed by NATO. Needs to see which ones….not sure.

Transports in and around Bitburg. The B51 is an important link between the north and the south. Like the Roman road between Trier and Cologne, it joins the region of Trier and Luxembourg with the north. And this was the road we took always there. In recent years, the A60 Liège-Wittlich has been passing close to the city; but as a beltway preferred the B51. The rest not try at all just for information; there is a train station of Bitburg-Erdorf frequented by the Eifelbahn of the line Gerolstein-Trier and the Eifel-Mosel-Express (RE 12) of the line Cologne – Euskirchen – Gerolstein – Trier. The DB Regio Südwest Eifel-Mosel-Express also passes through Bitburg-Erdorf.

Some things to see, me think, are: In the buildings of the old School of Agriculture of 1882 today is the Museum of the region Bitburg-Prüm. The latter proposes, through many objects, a good retrospective on the 2 000 years of history of Bitburg and the Eifel. There is a nice Church of Our Lady in city center with quaint restos and architecture around it, Nice bells outside the Church.

And the main reason we came is for the brewery lol! Bitburg bier, one of the best. I have an individual post on it in my blog. Instead here will add a thing to see with a picture ,not in previous posts. The Bitburg Tower of Bells was donated by Bitburg’s Trade Union. At five after the hour, the bells play a German Folk Song. The doors then open up and depict figures of the local tradesmen and their crafts. The carillon is played daily except on quiet holidays at different times.

The Bitburg area tourist office in English: https://www.eifel-direkt.de/en

The city of Bitburg on its history in English: https://www.bitburg.de/cgi-bin/cms?_SID=fake&_sprache=en&_bereich=artikel&_aktion=detail&idrubrik=1002&idartikel=100052

The German Luxembourg area tourist office on Bitburg in English: https://www.lux-trier.info/en/explore/city-diversity/bitburg-2

There you go another dot on the world map for us and hopefully for you too. Enjoy Bitburg, a nice stopover indeed! Always amazes me what you can find on the road warrior trails of yours truly! Again, hope you enjoy the post on this is Bitburg !! as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!