Reichswald: a 5000 year old heritage full of secrets and history

Reichswald: a 5000 year old heritage full of secrets and history

Reichswald, Deutschland - over 5000 years ago, the fascinating history of the Reichswald, the largest coherent state forest in North Rhine-Westphalia began. With an area of over 51 square kilometers, this forest not only harbors the traces of nature, but also that of humanity. Archaeological finds from Goch and Kalkar testify to the presence of the people in the Middle Stone Age, around 3000 BC. Bronze Age hill tombs and Roman military camps that were built when the state road between Xanten and Nijmegen was built are further impressive evidence of the long history of this area.

a bloody chapter of history

But the Reichswald is not only a place of history, but also a scene of bloody fights. In the 20th century, this forest became a battlefield during the devastating "Operation Veritible" in the spring of 1945, which significantly influenced the Second World War in Germany. A lot of blood flowed here when the Allies fought against the German troops. The traces of these fights can still be seen in the forest today and are reminiscent of the horrors of the war.

The combination of archaeological finds and the remains of the battle in the Reichswald makes this place a unique testimony in human history. It is not only a retreat for nature, but also a memorial for the atrocities of the past. The Reichswald remains a living history book that tells the stories of generations and the memory of the events that took place here.