Externsteine - magical rock formation, Germany


During travelling through the scenic Teutoburg Forest in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalianear, you can find the picturesque group of rocks a few kilometres from the town of Horn-Bad Meinberg. Its name - Extersteine - usually translates as stones of the ridge. This is a highly unusual rock formation. In an area otherwise devoid of large rocks, the soaring, slender columns of Externsteine stand out as they rise sharply and with no little majesty from the surrounding landscape.


The 13 sandstone pillars have been ornamented over the millennia by human hand. Yet the true origins of the star stones can be discovered through geology. The unusual geological formation consists of a hard, erosion-resistant sandstone (so-called Osningsandstein), laid down during the early Cretaceous era about 100 million years ago. Thousands of years of erosion have washed the rocks from the surrounding soil and then were formed the surface of the stone. The rock formation stretches for several hundred metres. The largest rock rises 38 m above the surrounding area and is known as the Grottenfels due to its cave. The next one is named as Turmfels (tower) and rises 37.5 m. Next rock is called Treppenfels (stairs). A large gap separates that group of rocks to the next one - Wackelsteinfelsen - named due to a loose boulder (now fixed in place) at its top.


The stone pillars have been modified and decorated by humans over the centuries.  The Externsteine are identified as a sacred site of the pagan Saxons, and as the site of a hermitage in the Middle Ages. It is thought that the site was possibly used for astronomical observation, worship and sacrifice. The rocks were the site of a Christian chapel at the high medieval period. From that period comes relief - depiction of the Descent of the Jesus from the Cross. These may have been a reconstruction of the Holy Sepulchre. Probably the Externsteine were intended as a destination for pilgrims unable to travel to Jerusalem. 

Most of the human-made alterations are on the southwestern side of the rocks. The pond that currently lies at the foot of the formation is also artificial. In 1836 the Wiembecke stream flowing past the stones was dammed to form an artificial pond.


The Externsteine are the synthesis of natural energy and human influence, therefore this place is the nature reserve and since 2006 has been a Nationaler Geotop (national geotope). Little wonder that the magical rock formation has been attracting curious visitors.


You might also like other articles about Germany (click)

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Location: Externsteine, Germany

Comments

  1. Jim21/1/17 3:36 pm

    Amazing

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous21/1/17 3:46 pm

    Piękne miejsce i wspaniałe zdjęcia.
    Pozdrawiam i życzę miłego weekendu.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Al21/1/17 5:54 pm

    I love natural features like this one, so beautiful and unique. We have a park in my city (Garden of the Gods) with some incredible rock formations, and it's one of my favorite places to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  4. namaki21/1/17 6:58 pm

    Interesting place !

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ruth Kelly21/1/17 8:26 pm

    What an amazing place! Thank you for showing it to us.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Suza21/1/17 8:59 pm

    fantastic landscape

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amy22/1/17 12:53 am

    what an awesome area - wow, think I'd have loads of fun there.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bill 22/1/17 1:21 am

    Wow--- I'd love to see it in person.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Furry Gnome22/1/17 3:43 am

    Oh, I like those!

    ReplyDelete
  10. rupam sarma22/1/17 5:01 am

    Amazing. Awesome pics and post.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Margaret Birding For Pleasure22/1/17 7:58 am

    Oh my word! These are amazing

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ros Crawford22/1/17 11:14 am

    Terrific photos! Now way I could do those stairs though! Thanks so much for sharing at OBW!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Małgosia i Piotr22/1/17 12:49 pm

    Piękne formacje skalne przypominają nieco nasz Góry Stołowe :) Ostatnie zdjęcie z oknem bardzo pomysłowe, podobnie jak to z "bulajem" :) pozdrawiamy serdecznie

    ReplyDelete
  14. orvokki22/1/17 1:56 pm

    Whata interesting and wonderful place. The rock is really high and all the stairs ... lovely.
    I love a lots of these photos.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Carol @Comfort Spring Station22/1/17 4:21 pm

    Wonderful sight to see, would love to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  16. riitta k22/1/17 5:38 pm

    Astonishing - great photos!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Coombe Mill - Fiona22/1/17 6:59 pm

    Oh my you need a head for heights to scale those, but wow what wonderful photos.

    ReplyDelete
  18. carol l mckenna22/1/17 9:18 pm

    Magnificent rock formation and very professional shots ~ thanks,

    Wishing you a Happy Week ahead ~ ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous23/1/17 7:36 am

    Even though I used to live close to Germany, have never been here! Intriguing is the bridge between the two main rocks! Many thanks for sharing this experience in the North Rhine area with ALL SEASONS -much appreciated! Have a beautiful week!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Handmade in Israel23/1/17 10:39 am

    Wow, they are totally amazing. It's almost a pity they haven't been kept in their natural state, but they look fabulous all the same.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous23/1/17 1:24 pm

    Wow this looks amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Rhonda Albom24/1/17 8:25 am

    The rock structures are awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  23. lotusleaf24/1/17 12:34 pm

    What a beautiful place! Even the man made alterations are so artistic.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Marcia24/1/17 4:36 pm

    What a fascinating place.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Su-sieee! Mac24/1/17 10:37 pm

    Wow, they are magical!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Peabea Scribbles25/1/17 12:36 am

    Love, love this sharing. How fun to walk and explore there must be. The stairs would be a struggle though for me, but I'd have to try for the view.

    Peabea@Peabea Scribbles

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sharon25/1/17 4:32 am

    Those rock formations are amazing! I would love the climb the stairs and go over that high bridge! I have never heard of this place, but I would love to visit!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ruth25/1/17 6:11 am

    This is a really cool place! I am attracted to places like this. I think that is why I like the American West so much. Would like to stop by this place in Germany one day. #OurWorldTuesday

    ReplyDelete
  29. Captured by Jade25/1/17 8:56 am

    What an interesting, and visually pleasing, place to visit. Nature is a wonder.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous25/1/17 3:42 pm

    What an unique landscape! Love your photos! #WanderfulWednesday

    ReplyDelete
  31. Tanja/the Red Phone box travels25/1/17 4:13 pm

    great photos! #wanderfulwednesday

    ReplyDelete
  32. Unknown25/1/17 8:31 pm

    I actually grew up half an hour away from this place and we frequently visited! It didn't really seem special to me until I moved abroad, now I love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Light and Voices26/1/17 3:58 am

    Magical, scenic area!

    ReplyDelete
  34. California Globetrotter26/1/17 9:41 am

    This is awesome! I've never heard of this before! Pinned! #WanderfulWednesday
    (www.caliglobetrotter.wordpress.com)

    ReplyDelete
  35. likeschocolate26/1/17 1:29 pm

    I had to bookmark this one as we will be living in Germany next year. This is a must see! Thanks for sharing. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Mandy26/1/17 1:43 pm

    Looks beautiful, but those steps… 😧

    ReplyDelete
  37. Unknown26/1/17 9:56 pm

    Such an interesting and beautiful place to visit! :D

    ReplyDelete
  38. Andrea27/1/17 3:50 am

    They are indeed spectacular nature and manmade sites! Are they in the UNESCO Heritage Sites list? I am amazed at how that bridge at the top was made, and i might not be able to step on it for fear of heights. Thanks for letting us see them through your photos and inform us with your descriptions.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Rajesh27/1/17 8:03 am

    Beautiful rock formations.

    ReplyDelete
  40. betty-NZ27/1/17 8:22 am

    What a wonderful place! I love to see natural formations like this and to know they are all over the world is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Photo Cache27/1/17 6:06 pm

    Wow, this is incredible.

    Worth a Thousand Words

    ReplyDelete
  42. Klara S27/1/17 10:53 pm

    These mountains are amazing. I'd love to visit that the.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Gemma Wiseman27/1/17 11:33 pm

    These rock formations are breathtaking. A photographer's dream.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Spare Parts and Pics28/1/17 1:01 am

    What an amazing place! I like the stones on the rock in the last photo. The rock formations in the second photo remind me a bit of Joshua Tree!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Jim28/1/17 5:04 pm

    So beautiful! Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Linda28/1/17 6:29 pm

    Very beautiful photos! Greetings from Montreal, Canada. :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. EmCi31/1/17 11:57 pm

    Thank you for sharing these awesome views.

    ReplyDelete
  48. orvokki3/2/17 3:00 pm

    What a lovely place - and so many traps.

    ReplyDelete
  49. MelodyK7/2/17 10:36 pm

    Wow lovely and fascinating

    Have a nice ABC-Wednesday / _ Week
    ♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc=w=team)
    http://melodymusic.nl/abc-wednesday-20e/
    (want to take a preview at the new url starting round 21 ? http://abcwednesday.wordpress.com)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hildred8/2/17 1:42 am

    Thank you, - nature has given us some truly amazing sites, hasn't it. Really appreciate your beautiful photos...

    ReplyDelete
  51. Roger Owen Green8/2/17 4:58 am

    those rocks are so nifty
    ROG, ABCW

    ReplyDelete
  52. Trubes8/2/17 12:34 pm

    Exquisite photography,
    It seems that every rock has a story to tell.
    I love the shot of the stone carved steps up
    to the viewing pplatform..That little bridge adjoing
    the two very tall rocks look rather precarious,
    I'm afraid I haven't got a head for heights so I would
    have to stay on the ground and be contented to gaze upwards,
    or better still, look at your Excellent photographs!
    Best wishes,
    Di,
    ABCW team.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Intelliblog15/2/17 12:59 am

    An amazing place that reminds me a little of Meteora in Greece... Your great photos do it justice!
    Thanks for taking part in the Travel Tuesday meme.

    ReplyDelete

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