On the southern edge of the town, on the left bank of the River Kyll, is a capped spring called the "Siddinger Dreis". In the vicinity were found inscriptions and carved stone tablets, and 143 Roman coins, showing that the spring was used as a healing well in antique times.

On the opposite bank of the river, above the high water line, the remains and foundations of a Roman farm/villa were found, which included a bath complex.

The Filled Up Well

In olden times Gerolstein had its own court with power over life and death. (It could give the death sentence; not all courts could). A man accused of a serious crime was declared guilty by the court and sentenced to death by beheading.

The accused cried out that he was innocent, and if executed "my head, as soon as it is separated from my body, will spring into the well and turn the water red with blood."" A member of the jury replied that this was tomfoolery. The accused retorted "Gerolstein is ratpoor and will always be ratpoor!"

The man was executed, and as he foretold, his head moved to the well by short hops, arched over the surrounding wall, and disappeared into the deep water of the well.

The people of Gerolstein then recognized his innocence, but no one was brave enough to climb down into the well and remove the severed head. However, no one wanted to use the water after that, so the well was filled in and a large, wooden crucifix erected over the site of the well.