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JOIN NOW and vote for the Druid Stone as Natural Wonder 2026 - VOTE HERE!
The Druid Stone is an isolated basalt cone above the villages of Herkersdorf and Offhausen in the town of Kirchen (Sieg) in the Druid.Witch.Siegerland and is one of the outstanding geological attractions in Rhineland-Palatinate. It lies at 450 m above sea level and rises about 20 m above its surroundings. It was formed during the late Tertiary period around 1 to 25 million years ago.
Due to human intervention, the size of the basalt cone has been reduced over time. For instance, the top was likely removed for tactical reasons during the Thirty Years' War to make it more difficult for enemy troops to navigate using this landmark, which was clearly visible at that time. The basalt cone has also been used as a quarry. In 1979, the Druid Stone was struck by a massive lightning bolt, requiring it to be supported by six reinforced concrete beams ever since.
Almost more exciting than the geological history of this natural monument, which has been under protection since 1869, are the legends and myths associated with the basalt cone. However, what exactly happened at the Druid Stone is not proven. There are legends of Gallic druids and "wild people," and others who allegedly conducted sacred masses, rituals, and other activities at the Druid Stone. It is also likely that the Druid Stone was a religious site for the Chatten, who established a Thing site here and worshiped the sun. There is also the legend of Herke, the daughter of a Celtic tribal chieftain, who was sacrificed due to a forbidden love for a young man, and her lover was slain. It is said that since then, during full moons, the wailing and lamentations of the sacrificed can be heard in the valley from the height of the Druid Stone. In the 1920s, the Druid Stone was integrated into a Stations of the Cross, where processions still take place every year on Ascension Day. In the 1950s, festivals were performed at the "Druid Stone Open-Air Stage."
On May 12, 2006, the Druid Stone was awarded as a nationally significant geotope in Hanover, and since then it has carried the name "National Geotope" and is featured in a unique picture and text volume "Fascination Geology – the Most Significant Geotopes in Germany."
In 2022 a new, extraordinary project started, focusing on the Druid Stone itself as well as the legend of the Druidess Herke. Since then, a musical production has been composed for "Druid Stone - The Musical", which is set to premiere in 2027.
Famous long-distance hiking trails, such as the Druid Trail and the Nature Trail Sieg, as well as the very popular Druid Stone Circular Trail (16 km) starting and ending at Kirchen station, lead directly past this natural sight.
As an ideal starting point for a short walk (15 min.) to the Druid Stone, the hiking parking lot at K 101 after the village of Offhausen towards Dermbach is recommended.
Join now and vote for the Druid Stone as the Natural Wonder 2026 - VOTE HERE! The Druid Stone is an isolated basalt cone above the villages of Herkersdorf and Offhausen in the town of Kirchen (Sieg) in the Druid.Witch.Siegland and is one of the outstanding geological attractions in Rhineland-Palatinate. It stands at 450 m above sea level and rises about 20 m above its surroundings. It was formed during the late Tertiary period around 1 to 25 million years ago.
Contact and directions
Auf dem Druidenstein57548 Kirchen-Herkersdorf
Contact
(0049) 2741 688-850
touristik@kirchen-sieg.de
Related links
http://www.druiden-hexen-siegerland.de
