Mürmes

Mürmes: a rare flat bog in an ancient Vulkaneifel maar crater. Historically a fish pond and peat source, it now safeguards unique water-loving plants, ash willows, and is a vital habitat for breeding and migratory birds.

The Mürmes nature reserve in the Vulkaneifel is a captivating flat bog nestled within an ancient maar crater. This unique landscape, with its up to four-meter-thick peat layer, offers a journey through natural and cultural history. From the early 15th century until around 1800, it served as a significant fish pond established by the Electors of Trier. Later, its rich peat deposits provided a valuable resource for the local population. Designated as a nature reserve since 1975, Mürmes is now dedicated to preserving its invaluable ecosystems. The area is characterized by a rich diversity of water-loving plants, including various rushes like pointed, clustered, and soft rush, as well as narrow-leaved cotton grass, wood sedge, ivy-leaved crowfoot, spotted orchid, grass stitchwort, water dropwort, round-leaved sundew, skullcap, marsh yarrow, water smartweed, and wild angelica. Ash willows dominate the tree population. It's also a crucial sanctuary for birds, known for breeding species such as the common snipe, whinchat, grasshopper warbler, northern lapwing, great grey shrike, reed bunting, and meadow pipit. Furthermore, Mürmes serves as an essential resting point for numerous migratory birds, highlighting its ecological significance.