Externsteine

From Metapedia
Jump to: navigation, search

The Externsteine is a distinctive sandstone rock formation located in the Teutoburg Forest, near the town of Horn-Bad Meinberg in the Lippe district of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The formation is a tor consisting of several tall, narrow columns of rock which rise abruptly from the surrounding wooded hills.

In a popular tradition going back to an idea proposed to Hermann Hamelmann in 1564, the Externsteine are identified as a sacred site of the pagan Saxons, and the location of the Irminsul idol reportedly destroyed by Charlemagne. However, there is however no archaeological evidence that would confirm the site's use during the relevant period.

Part of this article consists of modified text from Wikipedia, and the article is therefore licensed under GFDL.