In Bickendorf, buildings and roadside landmarks tell the story of different eras: St. Martin’s is the village’s landmark as a Neo-Gothic church, and six wayside crosses add to its historic buildings. The single-arch bridge over the Nims, built of red sandstone, is another distinctive structure. Together, these details offer a tangible introduction to the village’s history.
St. Martin’s: Neo-Gothic Architecture and Older Furnishings
St. Martin’s Church was built in 1896/97 by Saarbrücken architect Wilhelm Hector. Its Neo-Gothic style and red sandstone define the building. The church has also retained its original Neo-Gothic glazing. Those interested in architectural history can take a closer look at the church building and the individual surviving design elements.
The furnishings also bring together different periods. The Neo-Gothic high altar reredos was donated in 1898 by Karl Ernst Schrod, auxiliary bishop of Trier, who was born in Bickendorf. St. Martin’s also preserves a Baroque stone altar wall dating from 1738, from the previous church. The dates mark different stages: the altar wall comes from the earlier building, while the church and reredos date from 1896/97 and 1898.
Wayside Crosses and the Nims Bridge
The wayside crosses are also part of Bickendorf’s historic buildings. Among the earliest dated crosses are ones from 1623 and 1626. At the junction of Zur Maisbach and Burgstraße stands a wayside cross dating from 1623. A niche cross from the same year is located on the old road to Ehlenz. The Postkreuz near Nattenheimer Straße is also a niche cross and is dated 1626. The location details distinguish the individual crosses, while the dates make it possible to compare when they were created.
The Nims Bridge stands north of Bickendorf. Built in 1920, it is a single-arch bridge made of red sandstone. It adds a structure from the early 20th century to the older ecclesiastical and religious landmarks. The contrast between the dated crosses, the furnishings at St. Martin’s and the bridge brings the village’s architectural history to life in different ways.
The Nimstal, Recreation and Getting Here
Bickendorf lies in the Nimstal, surrounded by rolling countryside. Recreational facilities in the village include a barbecue hut and fishing waters. The Nimstal Cycle Route runs through the Bickendorf area. This means trip planning can take in several themes: historic buildings, countryside, cycling and the recreational facilities mentioned here. They need not be combined into a single route, but can be considered according to the focus of your stay.
Bickendorf is connected to regional public transport via the L 5 between Bitburg and Prüm. For your specific journey, check the appropriate connection and current travel times. The village also has a cycling connection, though with a specific historical date: during the Eifelkreis cycling event “Nim(m)sRad,” held in 2025 between Rittersdorf and Rommersheim, Bickendorf served as an information stop.
More Cultural Attractions in the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm
The Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm offers other destinations with their own distinct themes. At the Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf visitor mine, a mining trail features numerous information boards about the area’s mining history. One-hour tours of the tunnels explain ore mining in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology; check current tour dates before visiting.
The Devonium in Waxweiler introduces visitors to complex topics in palaeontology and the science of fossil life in a playful way. The Westwall Museum is housed across three accessible levels of a bunker and features a military history exhibition in underground passages and rooms. The approximately 700-year-old Rittersdorf moated castle offers a different perspective: it has remained almost unchanged since it was built and gives a vivid picture of late medieval and early modern Renaissance domestic culture. The castle also has a privately run restaurant serving refined regional cuisine; check whether it is open before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Halsdorf, Baustert, Bettingen, Oberweiler, Olsdorf, Stahl, Fließem, Oberweis.
For the broader travel overview: Bitburg.
