Milseburg

Milseburg from west

The Milseburg is a 835.2 m above sea level. NHN high mountain in the Rhön in the district of Fulda, Hesse ( Germany ).

Geographical location

The Milseburg is highest elevation of the Kuppenrhön and is located a few kilometers to the west or northwest of the interface to the High Rhön. It rises in the Rhön Nature Reserve or the Rhön Biosphere Reserve about 15 km (air line) east of Fulda between the members of the community Hofbieber villages Kleinsassen in the west and in the east Danzwiesen. South of the mountain is the headwaters of the eastern Haune influx Bieber.

History

Generally

On the walk to the summit, you will pass the remains of a Celtic ring wall and several annex walls. It was once the Milseburg an entire Celtic settlement as living space (→ oppidum Milseburg ).

The mountain was first mentioned in a charter of Emperor Otto II on July 25, 980 Here, the Milsiburg was mentioned as a border town between the area of the monastery of Fulda and of belonging to Hünfeld area. The designation as a castle can be hardly any other conclusion than that there was already a castle on the mountain at that time. However, such a system in a document drawn the first time in 1119 (castle Milseburg ). This castle has been on the Milseburg northwest upstream spur Liedenküppel found, as evidenced by sparse remains. The installation of the ' castle ' was very small with 21 × 24 m. It is believed that it was abandoned in the 13th century at the latest, and then gradually fell into disrepair.

Legend of the rising of the mountain

The mountain was named after the legend of the "giant Mils ", is said to have driven here in conjunction with the devil on the loose. The Holy Gangolf finally to have defeated him, after which the " giant Mils " himself killed. The Devil covered the body with stones, finally - this is today's Milseburg.

Geology

The distinctive Milseburg owes its existence to the tertiary temporal volcanism in today's Rhön area. Back then penetrated alkaline magma from greater depth in the direction of that surface, which was significantly higher than today's ground level. However, the rise was relatively close below the earth's surface at that time stuck in layers of red sandstone and the magma cooled there and eventually solidified to a Phonolithkörper. Erosion by the overlying and later also the surrounding, softer Triassic rocks were so deeply eroded sufficiently that the Phonolithkörper was dissected out and today dominates the surrounding countryside as Milseburg to about 130 m in the following millions of years.

The extreme climate of the cold periods of the Pleistocene led to an extensive physical weathering of Phonolithkörpers, so that made ​​extensive boulder fields on its slopes.

Milseburg today

The Milseburg is one of the most famous mountains beyond the region and therefore a popular destination. The bald in some places, easily accessible and yet exposed summit rocks represents one of the most beautiful vantage points throughout the Rhön

On the hilltop there is a crucifixion group from 1756, below it a small chapel in honor of St. Gangolf - the Gangolf chapel. Directly below the chapel there is a mountain hut of the Rhön clubs - the Milseburg hut.

From Fulda and Hilders the Milseburg is easily accessible by bicycle on the Milseburgradweg ( former railway path Rhön ). However, the last 100 meters to the summit remain only good physical condition and technically experienced mountain bikers reserved. The located on this former railway line Milseburg tunnel, which was erected around 1.5 km north of Mount Milseburg or immediately north of the Oberbernhardser height ( 661 m above sea level. NN ), is accessible for cyclists to cross the mountain in the summer. Tunnel and Milseburgradweg are annual venue of the Tunnelrun, a fun run event of the running club Petersberg, supported by the communities Petersberg, Hofbieber and Hilders.

For walkers the Milseburg over the crossing distance trails here Hochrhöner from Bad Kissingen and Bad Salzungen and Milseburgweg from Fulda and Meiningen is achievable.

On 22 December 2005 Hofbieber acquired the 26 acres since 1968 designated as a nature reserve core area of Mount Milseburg by Johannes zu Guttenberg ( Bad Neustadt / Saale); the purchase price in the amount of € 200,000 was applied by the State of Hesse and sponsors (among the Rhön club). This free access remains secure.

Interior of the chapel Gangolf

View from the Milseburg for water cap ( left)

Crucifixion group on the summit