Bütgenbach on the lakeside
The most northerly district authority in the Eiffel invites its visitors to enjoy holidays filled with a mix of adventure and relaxation. The beautiful "riviera" was created by dam construction in the 1930s as fresh water support to the reservoir in Robertville. This 120-hectare lake, together with the Sport and Leisure centre of Worriken that borders it, is a major magnet for visitors to East Belgium.
Of firearms ...
Bütgenbach is sparsely populated, as its inhabitants share their space with a considerable area of forest, as well as the vast restricted area around the army barracks of Elsenborn-Camp. This military practice range was established in the 19th century. Today a museum in "Truschbaum" tells the story of its past and present.
... and fiery witches
One week after carnival the majority of Eiffel villages celebrate the traditional "Burgfeuer" to drive out the winter. Dried out Christmas trees and other flammable materials are built into a huge "burg" or castle, topped by the figure of a witch, to represent the cold-hearted snow queen of winter. The whole village then comes together until late in the night to watch both castle and witch being consumed by fire amidst dancing, merriment and large quantities of mulled wine.
All in all, there is plenty to do and see around the lake throughout the year. However, one word of caution: should you happen, during some nocturnal ramble, to chance upon the quaint little figure of the Fenny Elf, or "Lützevennsmännchen", then be sure to stand completely still … unless, that is, you want your limbs frozen and your hair turned grey!
Situation: the northernmost district authority of the southern DG
Population: 5565
Area: 97.3 km²
Altitude: 500-635m
Localities: Berg, Bütgenbach, Elsenborn, Elsenborn-Lager, Küchelscheid, Leykaul, Nidrum, Weywertz
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