ノルトラインヴェストファーレン州の天然記念物・トップ20

A little below the Plateau you will pass this vantage point of Drachenburg Castle on the way. The view of the (almost kitschy) castle with the Rhine and the Bonn skyline in the background is great. Photos from the small platform almost automatically have postcard quality.

Climbing on the Stenzelberg has been expressly forbidden since June 2005. Previously, the Rhein-Sieg district had tolerated climbing, although the Stenzelberg, like the entire Siebengebirge, had been designated as a nature reserve (NSG) since 1920. The climbing ban became necessary due to the new nature reserve ordinance in the course of the recognition of the Siebengebirge as FFH area 5309-301 (Fauna-Flora-Habitat) of the European Union. In particular, the occurrence of the wall lizard was concerned and egg-laying sites at the foothills of the fields were destroyed. Despite the ban, climbing continued illegally after 2005. The path to the rocks was therefore closed by the forestry department.

The Stenzelberg is geologically a spring dome from the volcanic rock Latit. The rising magma did not reach the earth's surface here, but got stuck in the surrounding tuff cover rock. The softer tuff was later eroded away, exposing the harder latite. The Stenzelberg has been used as a quarry since the 11th century, in which quartz latite rock was mined. The Heisterbach Abbey also operated a quarry on the Stenzelberg. The quarried material was also used to build the monastery buildings and the abbey church. Furthermore, rock from the Stenzelberg was used for the Propsteikirche in Oberpleis, the Nikolauskapelle in Heisterbacherrott and the Bonn Minster, and later also for the churches in Niederdollendorf, in Oberdollendorf and in Asbach. The operation of the quarry ended in 1931. Source: https://www.kuladig.de/Objectansicht/O-FJK-20100630-0032

With its important past as a Roman base around the birth of Christ, Haltern am See has had town rights since 1289 and is a historical, up-and-coming medium-sized town, located at the northernmost point of the Lippe, embedded in the Hohe Mark, Haard and Borkenberge forest areas. The current urban area of Haltern am See was created as part of the municipal territorial reform in North Rhine-Westphalia in 1975. At that time, the town and the Haltern district, consisting of the communities Kirchspiel-Haltern (Holtwick, Lavesum and Sythen), Hullern and Lippramsdorf, were merged and expanded south of the Lippe to include the communities of Flaesheim (formerly part of the Datteln district) and Hamm-Bossendorf (parts of the Hamm community formerly part of the Marl district). The allocation of districts south of the Lippe to Haltern meant crossing a centuries-old border. A border that was the reason and prerequisite for the granting of town rights to Haltern by the sovereign and Prince-Bishop of Münster, Everhard von Diest, in the 13th century. Since 1908, Haltern am See has had a pumping station to pump drinking water for the northern Ruhr area. Water extraction has been steadily expanded; it helped the city to earn its decorative name "Haltern am See" and reached its provisional end point with the completion of the Hullerner Lake in 1985. A side effect of the area-intensive water management is the increased recreational value of the Haltern landscape, which, free of industry, has become even more attractive to visitors and locals thanks to the creation of the lakes. Today, the Haltern lakes with their boathouses, sailing harbor and seaside resort are the destination of many people seeking relaxation. But Haltern am See has more to offer visitors than just the lake. The attractive and varied landscape is often referred to as the lungs of the Ruhr area. The city is the heart of the Hohe Mark Nature Park. The extensive forests of the Haard and the Hohe Mark, as well as the Westruper Heide, Holtwicker Heide and Sebbelheide nature reserves, are accessible via a dense network of hiking, cycling, horse riding and walking trails. The pedestrian zones of the old town and the modern town centers of Sythen, Flaesheim, Lippramsdorf, Hullern and Lavesum are popular shopping and meeting places for residents and visitors alike.

The Stenzlberg offers rugged rocks, exciting views, history and beautiful narrow paths.

A bizarre rocky landscape in the Siebengebirge.

Has its appeal even in fog.

The Stenzelberg has retained its attractiveness even after stone quarrying ended. Stones have not been quarried since 1931. Due to its picturesque rocky landscape, the Stenzelberg is still a popular destination for many hikes. In addition, the 287-meter-high summit offers habitat for animals such as smooth snakes and wall lizards. For this reason, it is kept free of shrub and tree growth.