Morbach and «Vicus Belginum»

Morbach, a spa resort with specifically healthful climate, lies on the northwest slope of the Idarwald mountain ridge opposite Usarkopf (724 m), Sensweiler Heights (734 m) and Steingerüttelkopf (757 m) mountains. Typical of such northwestern slopes in the Hunsrück region are lowmoors, so-called "Hangbrüche", areas of wet, swampy ground which have developed in undrained depressions of the mountain slopes and form unique biotopes and refuges for rare plants and animals. These lowmoors are fed by an abundant supply of spring water from the Idarwald heights and result from constantly accumulating moisture, which collects in the depressions where alumina (clay) greatly hinders the drainage or runoff of water. The special living conditions in these depressions, which are permanently water logged, have over many hundreds of years led to the creation of unique bogland and peat. In contrast, highmoors draw their water exclusively from rain. Common to both types of moors is a certain lack of nutrients, which leads to the growth of specific plant communities here: rare peatmoss (Sphagnetum magellanici in a narrower sense), various types of sedges and rushes, as well as typical moor plants like the Arctic Starflower (Trientalis europaea), the cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), the peat-specific Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza sphagnicola), the Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), the Round Leaf Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), which compensates for the lack of nutrients by capturing small insects, or the Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis).

Photo: Here we see the "Stumpfe Turm" (blunt tower) built around 1315, which served as a watchtower for the Baldenau moated castle in sight.