한. 뮌덴‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪20‬개의 천연기념물

Former natural monument: Dead oak trunk about 1.5 km west of the outskirts of Nieste. The trunk is in the Gerholdsberg forest, in the north of the Sensenstein site, on hiking trail P11 "Niester Riesen". The oak is dead, but the remaining trunk with main branches is impressive.

A great, ancient oak tree stands near the Sensenstein youth castle.

It's really nice to be standing where Fulda and Werra "kiss" and the Weser is formed. You have an even better overview from the car bridge with bicycle and pedestrian path across the street.

Here the Weser begins at the confluence of the Fulda and Werra - the cycle path to Bremen is mostly well developed and recommendable.

The Sensenstein Castle (usually just called Sensenstein in the vernacular), today a castle stable, stood until the beginning of the 17th century as a border security to Lower Saxony in the area of today's municipality of Nieste, district of Kassel, in Hesse. Today only high ramparts remind us of the former size of the castle complex as a ground monument. The buildings have been completely demolished. Right next door is the youth castle and sports training center Sensenstein of the district of Kassel. From the former castle grounds you can see through the trees into the Kassel basin and the Kaufunger forest. (Source: Wikipedia)

For the Niester giants, the giant legend of the two castles Sichelnstein and Sensenstein is spun on. Burg Sensenstein, which prevented Otto the Quaden from invading Hesse, was a thorn in his side. In his anger he made a pact with the devil. In exchange for his soul, the devil threw a huge stone at the Scythe Stone. But he was protected by God and the stone fell into the Niestetal. The devil flew away, but Otto did not give up and made a pact with the giants. At night they should sneak to the scythe stone and smash it. However, the forest around the castle was protected by a ghost and his dwarves and elves. They confronted the giants, but when they attacked anyway, the spirit froze them and grew into mighty trees. The real story, however, is a bit less spectacular. The Niester Riesen is a test area from 1887. At that time, the Kaufunger Forest forestry office planted various exotic species on behalf of Prussia in order to investigate the growth and wood quality of exotic tree species. The Niester giants are actually a scenic highlight, as they are in the middle of the normal forest and the site with the redwoods, Douglas firs and more clearly stands out. The small (yet somehow large) arboretum is enhanced by information boards.

A trip to the huge trees is worthwhile. The pictures do not really capture the actual size. They are gigantic 🌳

The Sababurg Primeval Forest in the Reinhardswald Nature Park is one of the most beautiful destinations in northern Hesse! Three different circular trails, two of which can be easily combined, lead through the primeval forest. Strictly speaking, the primeval forest is not a primeval forest, but rather a former grazing forest. The approximately 300-year-old grazing oaks and beeches acquired their current gnarled shape through intensive grazing. Partly over footbridges, you walk through this primeval forest and encounter one special tree after another. Definitely worth a visit! Parking is available right next to the primeval forest. There is also a well-serviced bus stop.