Bitburg

Bitburg was part of the Roman protectorate until 400 A.D. In the eight century A.D., the settlement was taken over by the Franconians and in 1262 it was given its own charter. In the early middle ages, Bitburg belonged to the earldom of Luxemburg.

Then in 1443, Bitburg turned Burgundian. In 1792 it was placed under French administration and in 1815 the town was passed on to the Prussian Rhine-province. Bitburg has been called a Kreisstadt, a district capital, ever since. During the years 1944 to 1945, Bitburg was 85 % destroyed by bombing and artillery and, thus, officially declared a dead city.

There had always been a military presence in Bitburg, and this did not change after World War II. The French first set up their barracks in Bitburg. In 1985 the Americans took over. The air base was closed down on 1st October 1994. The neighbouring military base Spangdahlem took over the housing complex comprising some 1300 flats.

Today Bitburg displays a modern profile; with 14000 inhabitants plus about 5000 Americans, the Eifel-town has extremely increased in popularity. This can be accounted for mostly by the Bitburger Brauerei, the famous beer company, which has obtained a world wide reputation with its slogan Bitte ein Bit!

There is another attraction of international fame, the European Festival of Folklore, taking place every second weekend in July. This event, which ranks as the largest German festival of folklore, annually turns Bitburg into a meeting point of the nations. More than 50 groups in traditional costumes from 15 different countries contribute to the festival, which last from Friday to Monday. There is music in the streets, in the squares and in the marquees. 1500 people present the colourful costumes of their home countries.

A huge amusement park, numerous beer fountains and a stunning range of food and drinks and much more have become the natural ingredients of the Festival of Folklore. Today, the Bitburg festival is said to be one of the biggest folklore events in Germany.

Those who visit the Bitburg countryside, which surrounds the town, will be taken by surprise when encountering a richly varied landscape with unique scenery. It is a very open landscape with flat valleys and extended plateaus. The valleys of the rivers Sauer, Pruem, Nims and Kyll divide the Bitburg countryside into wide open plateaus.