Sources
"water with a star" - Gerolsteiner and other water tastings...
Mineral Spring "Helenenquelle"
Gerolsteiner Mineral Water
The Gerolsteiner mineral water has very special qualities thanks to its origin in the Vulkaneifel. It is here, where optimum geologic conditions prevail for water with unparalleled qualities: a unique combination of carbon dioxide from the volcanoes and special elements from the dolomite rocks.
The mineral water is caught from down to 200 m depth from karstic and faulted carbonate rocks underlying the Kyll valley. A drill hole for carbon dioxide and mineral water from 1909 is drastically described as follows: “The unleashed force was so strong that the complete drilling equipment was thrown out and a water fountain shot 57 m high into the air”. Today, Gerolsteiner Brunnen draws its mineral water exclusively from the Gerolstein Carbonate Syncline. The water is pumped to the bottling factory and there it is filled under extreme hygiene and with the most modern equipment into the bottles.
The company Gerolsteiner Brunnen GmbH & Co KG is the producer of the most bought mineral water in Germany, being also Germany’s biggest mineral water exporter that sells its products world wide.
Free visits to the Gerolsteiner Brunnen Company are offered to single visitors from Monday to Friday at 15 hrs. Groups may book upon request calling 0049 6591-14238.
More information: www.gerolsteiner.com
Mineral Spring "Helenenquelle" in Gerolstein
The mineral spring „Helenenquelle“ is situated near the Kyllweg, amid the Gerolstein recreational park.
The “Helenenquelle” represents the main type of the Gerolstein mineral water: lots of calcium and magnesium and quite a portion of carbon dioxide. The water is collected from Mid-Devonian carbonate rocks at depths between 84 to 98 meters, it can be tasted right away from the faucet. At the foot of the mineral water outlet you can observe carbonate sinter – it is pure calcium-carbonate that is instantly precipitated from the running mineral water and covers the floor like tapestry.
Former Mineral Spring "Sidinger Drees"
The ancient site of the old mineral water spring „Sidinger Drees“ is also situated near the Kyllweg. Although today there is no more mineral water, this site still is a historic place where Celtic and Roman people honoured the gods and spirits of the spring. The Romans then living on the opposite side of the Kyll river in the villa Sarabodis did use the sacred place with the mineral water for bathing, soothing their ailments, and, of course, for drinking. Their devotion to the gods and nymphs of the spring was shown by throwing hundreds of coins into the sacred well, mostly coins from the time of Emperor Maximinus (3rd Century AC)
Lindenquelle
(Lime Tree Source)
The „Lindenquelle“, having its origin in Lower Devonian sandstones and slates, is situated about 4 km north of Birresborn, close to the road to Gerolstein. In 1824 the pavilion was erected in its late classicistic style, it was restored in 2009. The source was already used in Roman times, and became known nation-wide, when in the 19. Century the “Iron Chancellor” Otto von Bismarck made the Birresborn mineral water his prime drink during the meals. The “Lindenquelle” can be visited and tasted throughout the year.
Geeser Drees (Gees Source)
Throughout the Eifel mineral sources are called „Drees“, a term coming from the old celtic language. The “Geeser Drees” has a iron-rich water, easily observable by the red colour in the well stemming from reddish iron oxides and hydroxides. In former times the iron- and CO2-rich water was also used by the locals to prepare tasty pancakes with the CO2 serving as a raising agent.
The well is accessible throughout the year.
Duppacher Drees (Duppach Source)
The „Duppacher Drees“ is located in the „Duppacher Maar“ depression close to the village of Duppach. Because there is a bit more of sodium and chlorine – commonly known as “cooking salt” – dissolved in the water it has a slightly salty taste. Entering the pavilion and holding a burning candle into the deepest part of the well, one may observe that the candle’s flame becomes extinguished because of the high concentration of CO2 gas that is emitted with the mineral water.
The well with its mineral water can be visited and tasted throughout the year.