by Lorenz van Nerven

The community Walsdorf – with its 714 inhabitants – lies right in the heart of the Vulkaneifel, at the south side of the lime dell of Hillesheim (Hillesheimer Kalkmulde), bordered by the quaternary layer volcano Goßberg (formerly 614,1 m) and the tertiary Arens- or Amulphusberg (formerly 589,6 m).

The surrounding of Walsdorf and Zilsdorf offers manifold opportunities for recreation, as for example hiking, cycling and many more. The dry maar of Walsdorf which is one of the largest dry maars in the Eifel as it is 1150 m long (from North to South) and 1000 m  wide (from East to West) is especially interesting. In the maar area you can find many rare and protected plants such as wild orchids. Many handicraft, trading and business enterprises in Walsdorf and the surrounding area offer employment for the inhabitants. Numerous associations in our towns add to the enrichment of cultural and sportive life.

The suffix „dorf“ (meaning „village“) of the toponym suggests that Walsdorf was a Frankish founding. On 20th January 806 Charles the Great gave a parcel of land in the “Villa Wallemaresdorp” to the Prüm monastery. However, it is arguable whether this was our Walsdorf as scientists are of different opinions.

In 1023 the abbey St. Maximin possessed properties on the Amulphusberg which were reappointed to it by Frederick the First on 31rst May 1182 along with the patronus right of the church of “Arnolfsberg”. In 1353 one half of Walsdorf was assigned to the electorate of Trier while the other half belonged to the manor of Kerpen (Arenberg).

From 1794 to 1815 we were under French control. After the Vienna Convention from 1815 we became Prussian.

In 1825 the old church on top of the Amulphusberg which was the parish church for Walsdorf and Zilsdorf for centuries and temporarily also for Stroheich and Loogh was torn down. In 1828 the new parish church was built in Walsdorf. It was consecrated on 28th October 1829. St. Amulphus is the church patron.

At the end of the 2nd World War our villages joined in the new federal state Rhineland-Palatinate.

On 17th March 1974 Zilsdorf was incorporated into the community of Walsdorf in the course of a territorial reform.

Today (31th August 1998) the population figure of the village community Walsdorf-Zilsdorf amounts to 896 (including secondary residence).

Zilsdorf lies approximately 1.5 km eastward from Walsdorf, between the Amulphusberg and the Kahlenberg, right at the B421.

Zilsdorf, too, is supposed to be a Frankish founding. On 22nd March 816 king Ludwig confirmed that a certain property in “Ziolfivilla” belonged to the abbess Anastasia of the monastery “Horreum” (Euren near Trier).

Although the abbey St. Maximin owned property in the Amulphusberg area as early as in 1023 and in 1182 also possessed the patron right in this place, the Lords of Daun held the territorial rights.

They executed the presentation right in Zilsdorf and Walsdorf through the families Crichingen and von Anethan.  After the incorporation into the electorate of Trier  in 1353 Zilsdorf continued to belong to the charge of Daun – under the territorial regime of the electorate prince of Trier. Zilsdorf, too, became Prussian after the end of the French rule (1794 – 1815) in our country and belongs to Rhineland-Palatinate since 1947. As a result of the integration of our two villages in 1974 we are a community regarding both clerical and civil criteria.

The chapel in Zilsdorf, dedicated to St. Antonius of Padua, was rebuilt in 1815.