Zylindermännchen at the Birkenfeld Oak

From Bebra a scenic, easy to ride MTB route. Top hats are worth it.

Up in the tree 🌳 you can find the cylinder man 🎩
You can find out about the legend on the information board or in the commentary from North Hesse

According to the legend that was widespread around the Alheimer, the little cylinder man from the Stölzinger Höhe has lived here for more than 1000 years.
As a tree spirit it is a guardian of the earth and brings the LIGHT down from above and the power of mother EARTH up from below.
In this tree the cylinder man can recharge his batteries for his nocturnal rides. Then, according to legend, it rides through the region and protects the people who live here. It also looks through the windows of the houses to see that people are sleeping peacefully, deeply and soundly.
The existence of a tree spirit is closely related to this oak. When tree and spirit are separated, both suffer.
(taken from a notice board of the Kulturinitiative Waldkappel e.V. from June 21, 2009)