The emergence of Sankt Vith

According to one opinion there stood once a Celtic temple on this spot or Sankt Vith was already in the Roman, respectively Franconian time, inhabited. Other local researchers are of the opinion that the existence of Sankt Vith began during the Third settlement period (850-1150).

No pre-, respectively, early historic finds had been done in this part of the town, so that the conclusion was that this area in pre-Roman and Roman times no settlement area was, but indeed a transit country.

This conjecture is supported by the fact that old settlements-, respectively, cult spots in the vicinity of Sankt Vith once existed (Breitfeld, Wiesenbach, Neundorf), which were built in mountain- or valley regions and offered protection against the weather. At the same time the plateau of Sankt Vith also had advantages at the level of military- or trade strategies as well as in regards to the climate.

The settlement has more than likely developed as a trade- and pilgrims place from 900 AC at the crossing of the in north-south positioned old Roman road from Rheims to Cologne and the local, in west-east positioned connection between the old cities Malmedy and Prüm as in the 12^th century charters the Vitus Church as well as the custom points are mentioned.  Here Sankt Vith emerges from the darkness of history for the first time and presents itself as a really important place.