Epprechtstein
View of the mountain from the Hohenstein
The Epprechtstein is a mountain in northern Fichtelgebirge ( North Bavaria), 798 m above sea level. NN. He is the mineralogical interesting mountain in the Fichtelgebirge. Around the summit area there are around 20 quarries. In three quarries Epprechtstein granite is broken down, the others are shut down and partially renatured. To the mountain lead several walks. Among its attractions are near the castle Epprechtstein a maze of granite blocks and a nature trail, reminiscent of the mining industry.
Location and Attractions
At the foot of the mountain, at the district book House of Kirchenlamitz there since 2009, a labyrinth of massive granite blocks, built by the city Kirchenlamitz. The increase occurs on the northern route from (main trail of the Fichtelgebirge association ) of book building.
Following the acquisition of Markgraftums Bayreuth by Prussia visited the rulers, King Friedrich Wilhelm III. and Queen Louise, on 21 June 1805, a large entourage to Epprechtstein. The stone table with stone benches, erroneously referred to as the devil's table, was built specially for taking the Mittagsmahls. William III. to have received the message on the Epprechtstein that Napoleon had crossed the Rhine with his troops.
The trail to the mining on the Epprechtstein begins immediately below the castle. It includes several signposted stations. You can see traces of the mining industry in the form of quarries, tunnel entrances, remnants of accommodation of the miners and backward equipment. The path is part of the Geopark Bavaria - Bohemia.
Abandoned equipment
Lair of the miners
On the treeless summit stands on an elongated, rugged sloping granite slab the ruins Epprechtstein. It is the former tower-like main residential building, a staircase leads to the viewing platform. From there one has a panoramic view of the Waldsteinzug, Grand Kornberg. According to Schwarzenbach an der Saale and Oberkotzau up to Hof, south over the inner Fichtelgebirge to Kösseine 250 meters southeast is the service hut alpine rescue readiness Kirchenlamitz.
Castle ruins Epprechtstein
Main article: Castle Epprechtstein
In a deed of gift of the Duke Otto II of Meranien first 1248 Eberhardus de Eckebretsteine was mentioned. 1308 enfeoffed King Henry VII, the brothers Ulrich, Henry and nickel, called the bags, with the fortress Epprechtstein that have been co-owner of Wild. 1337 enfeoffed Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian still the provost Heinrich von Plauen with a small part of the fortress. 1352 stormed the castle counts of robbery, the Nuremberg castle, then they got it as a fief. 1355/1356 they came by purchase in the entire possession of the castle, and the Office of Kirchenlamitz. The castle tower was part of the waiting order of 1498. 200 years later the fortress by troops of the Vogts Heinrich von Plauen was destroyed and fell into disrepair.