“Do you know the Ville Forests?” That’s what you might ask when you first visit the Naturschutzgebiet Waldville near Bonn. The Naturschutzgebiet Waldville is not just any forest. It’s a unique landscape with a rich history.
The Naturschutzgebiet Waldville together with the Kottenforst forms large connected forest areas. These forests sit on the plateau south of Bonn. They are home to linden-rich oak-hornbeam forests. Many of these forests have grown from earlier forms of managed woodland.
These forests in the Naturschutzgebiet Waldville showcase high structural diversity. You’ll find smaller old beech stands. There are also swampy alder forests with springs along natural streams. Moor birch forests and numerous small standing water bodies known as “Maare” dot the landscape. Drainage ditches and small swamp areas add to the variety.
The steep slopes on the Rhine side feature deep cut valleys. Some of these valleys are still in their natural state. The Kottenforst part of the Naturschutzgebiet Waldville has significant cultural importance.
Remnants of the Eifel water pipe from Roman times can still be seen. This aqueduct was one of the longest in the Roman Empire. In 973, Emperor Otto II confirmed the Archbishop of Cologne’s hunting and fishing rights in this imperial estate. Later, it was transferred to the Benedictine Abbey of Michelsberg in Siegburg.
Historically, the area saw intensive grazing, mast, and wood use. The Wittelsbach archbishops and electors expanded its hunting significance in the 18th century. Jagdschloss Herzogsfreude was built as a hunting lodge. The preserved path system with earth dams and ditches was used for Parforce hunting. Today, the Naturschutzgebiet Waldville is an important recreational area for the Bonn region.
The forests within the Naturpark are protected for good reason. They are designated as landscape, nature, and bird protection areas. They are also recognized as wilderness areas. You might also hear them referred to as Flora-Fauna-Habitats. Many animals and plants needing protection live here.
While exploring the Naturschutzgebiet Waldville you might come across the “Iron Man”. It is a 1.2-meter-high iron post surrounded by myths. Nearby, you can see an exposed section of the old Roman aqueduct. This part of the aqueduct ran underground for almost 1.9 km.
The steep walls of sand and gravel hills in the “Kiesgrube Dünstekoven” nature reserve offer a home for rare species. These species include bats, the crucian toad, and the bee-eater bird. The former Schillingskappellen monastery was built in the 12th century. It was constructed almost entirely from stones taken from the Roman canal. Today, it serves as the agricultural “Gut Capellen”.
Remember to respect nature during your visit to the Naturschutzgebiet Waldville. Stay on marked paths. Leave plants and animals undisturbed. Take all your trash with you. Dogs must be kept on a leash. Swimming is only allowed in designated areas. Lighting fires is prohibited. Let’s all be considerate of one another.
The LIFE+ project supported conservation measures in the Ville Forests until 2020. The Forestry Department Rhine-Sieg-Erft and the Biological Station Bonn / Rhine-Erft worked to maintain and improve the conservation status. The oak hornbeam forests here are a rare and endangered habitat type in Europe. The EU and NRW are funding projects to preserve the forest biodiversity. So come and experience the whispering woods of the Naturschutzgebiet Waldville.