ゴンパーツハウゼンの絶景の山頂・トップ18

The stone dumps of the Steinsburg on the Kleiner Gleichberg near Römhild in Thuringia are a sea of volcanic rock formed by the eroding basalt blocks of the former volcano. They line the slopes of the basalt cones and are a typical feature of the crumbling volcanic ruins of the Gleichberg Mountains. The term "Steinsburg" probably derives from these large stone fields surrounding the mountain plateau. In Celtic times, these basalt blocks were used to build dry-stone walls for the oppidum (hilltop settlement) built around the mountain.

On the path leading up to Heldburg Fortress in Thuringia, you'll eventually come across a linden tree split in two. A sign is attached to the hollow of this tree, and I'd like to tell you about it now: "Castle Linden of Heldburg Fortress – Large-leaved Summer Linden. Wanderer, pause! Read my story here: In 1791, I was planted by the then Ducal Court Secretary, Johann Daniel Bechmann (1768-1826), from Heldburg. That's why I was also called the Bechmann Linden. Around 1960, lightning destroyed my beautiful crown and split the trunk. Duke George II of Saxe-Meiningen (1826-1914) and his wife, Baroness von Heldburg (1839-1923), often lingered in the shade of its spreading branches when they resided here at the fortress during the summer months." Source: https://menosgada.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/die-schlosslinde-der-veste-heldburg/

The climb is a bit difficult, but the view from a great wooden bench makes up for it.

With a dominance of almost 20 kilometers and a prominence of almost 300 meters, the Großer Gleichberg is one of the most sublime mountains in Thuringia and for that reason alone it is worth a visit. The surrounding towns are: Zellfeld in the northeast, Roth in the east, Simmershausen and Gleicherwiesen in the southeast, Gleichamberg in the south, Hindfeld and Milz in the southwest, Römhild in the west, and Haina in the northwest

The climb up to the plateau is strenuous, but the view from above makes up for the effort. You can look towards Franconia (Bavaria) or towards Kleiner Gleichberg (Thuringia). This is where the viewpoints get their name from.

The small cross marks the summit of the 679 m high Gleichberg.

Dainty, but it serves its purpose

Only the foundations remain, giving an impression of the chapel's former grandeur. "At the front end of the upper plateau, you'll find the ruins of the old pilgrimage chapel of St. Michael. It was first mentioned in 1517 as "Kerchen auff der Steynburck," but lightning destroyed the little church in 1527. Today, only its remains tell their story." Source: https://www.immer-auf-reisen.de/steinsburg-kleiner-gleichberg/