The Gallaberg (formerly Passberg) is a hill near Salzhausen in the district of Harburg in Lower Saxony.

The Gallaberg is surrounded by fields and overgrown with trees. It is located at the junction of the L234 and the L216, south of Salzhausen. At the time of the executions, the mountain was unforested, so passers-by could see what was happening. This should count as a deterrent. It can be reached by a 5-10 minute walk along a sandy path. On the summit there is a clearing with a memorial stone and a stone circle, which suggests that there was a pyre at this place.

Executions by pyre, beheading, wheel, gallows and eight other methods have taken place on this mountain. These punishments were imposed and carried out between the 13th century and 1570, mostly against suspected witches, thieves and murderers. If executions took place, students from the age of 14 had to hike up there with their classes and sing. Watching should serve as a deterrent.
Sand was mined on the mountain from 1970, and bones of the executed were also found.

The memorial stone on the Gallaberg was erected to commemorate those who were executed there. The inscription on the stone reads: "Gallaberg place of execution of Gohes Salzhausen from 13 years - 1570 Galgen-Rad pyre."

de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallaberg

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stapelgretel

December 18, 2023

When you read the tablets like that, it's nice not to have lived in the 13th century 😅

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Moonbeam🌜

December 20, 2023

The Salzhäuser Gallerberg has an eventful history and was a popular excursion destination for many years, where you can enjoy a literally outstanding view of Salzhausen and its surroundings from the elevation. However, the history of the area has largely been forgotten today.

The existing memorial stone commemorates the people who died there between the 13th century and 1570. During this time, Salzhausen was a self-administrative court called Gohe, which executed criminals such as thieves and murderers on the gallows, through torture with a wagon wheel or at the stake.
Source: kreiszeitung-wochenblatt.de/salzhausen/c-politik/salzhaeuser-gallerberg-soll-touristische-attritt- Werden_a253362

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Dolle

July 6, 2025

A hill with a very special history. Today, it's hard to imagine how people were executed here back then.

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Elevation 50 m

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Location: Salzhausen, Harburg, Lüneburg Heath, Lower Saxony, Germany

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