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Natural Monuments

Gießen District

The Long Stone (Menhir of Langenstein)

Natural Monuments

Gießen District

The Long Stone (Menhir of Langenstein)

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The Long Stone (Menhir of Langenstein)

Recommended by 19 hikers out of 20

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Location: Kirchhain, Marburg-Biedenkopf, Gießen District, Hesse, Germany

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Best Hikes to The Long Stone (Menhir of Langenstein)

4.7

(27)

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1. Mainzer Rad Boundary Stone – Hof Nezza loop from Langenstein

14.0km

03:51

220m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

5.0

(2)

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2. Mainz Wheel Boundary Stone – Hof Nezza loop from Stadtallendorf

11.8km

03:06

100m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.4

(8)

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3. Kirchhain Outdoor Pool – SB Brosine organic vegetable stand loop from Kirchhain

6.29km

01:43

90m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Michel ✔

June 2, 2023

The menhir, probably from Celtic times, in the ancient churchyard of Langenstein is partly dated to the Neolithic period, by other scientists to the Celtic period around 600 BC. 1500 years older in the first case. Earlier interpretations, now outdated, believed to see the "Wodans" depictions on today's Jakobskirche in connection with the stone on which the god Wodan or Celtic Guidian would have been worshiped. These assumptions are outdated.
However, it is probably true that the Langen Stein was once the painting site of the Cent (hundred) of the northern Amöneburg Basin, which has not yet been reliably developed. The prehistoric menhir was 6.30 m high, but was shortened by lightning to today's 4.75 m high, 2.30 m wide and 20-30 cm thick.

A legend tells of the woman who was late for the first evangelical service in 1527. She had made hay and placed her scythe and whetstone by the churchyard wall before entering the church. When she came out, the whetstone had grown into a long stone.

Now who really built it?

The Celts, like their menhirs or monoliths in parts of Western Europe, when we think of Brittany, of Wales? What is certain is that the Buntsandstein was erected here at a place of worship or court of law. It is one of the giant stones known in the entire European specialist literature. There was also an ancient linden tree here, which was destroyed by lightning about 100 years ago and has been replaced by a beautifully grown linden tree. Certainly in place of an important court or thing site. As early as 1223, the town of Langenstein was named after this giant stone.

Source:
langenstein-hessen.de/geschichte-von-langenstein

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 260 m

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Friday 31 October

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Location: Kirchhain, Marburg-Biedenkopf, Gießen District, Hesse, Germany

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Backhaus Heinrich-von-Langenstein-Platz

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Wohra River

Trimm-Dich-Pfad Stadtallendorf

Drubbaeiche Rest Area

Ancient Linden Tree and Historic Sheep Trough

Grillhütte Auf der Burg Langenstein

Kirchhain Town Hall

The Long Stone (Menhir of Langenstein)

1. Mainzer Rad Boundary Stone – Hof Nezza loop from Langenstein

2. Mainz Wheel Boundary Stone – Hof Nezza loop from Stadtallendorf

3. Kirchhain Outdoor Pool – SB Brosine organic vegetable stand loop from Kirchhain

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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