- Trittenheim
The "Eselstratt" of Trittenheim Oldest evidence of settlement in our homeland This is approximately a 3500-year-old menhir, which was erected by the megalith culture that penetrated the Middle Moselle region from Brittany. Clear prehistoric signs of processing allow for a circular depression to be recognized as a navel and two wide grooves as arms. The entire stone resembles a broad figure with a small head and indicates a matriarchal fertility cult in the Neolithic age. A mother goddess was supposed to protect the earth and ensure good growth and thriving, for according to the belief of the megalithic people, all life sprang from Mother Earth. The menhir (Celtic: long stone) stands today exactly on the boundary of the municipalities of Trittenheim, Köwerich, and Klüsserath directly at the old pilgrimage path to Klausen. Its popular name "Eselstratt" refers to the round depression. A legend recounts: A Christian virgin saved herself in flight from a pagan knight with her mount, a donkey, by making a fierce leap into the valley at this spot. The hoofprint of the donkey remained behind. The knight converted to Christianity upon witnessing the miracle. The hundredweight stone lay flat for years and was re-erected here by the local community of Trittenheim during the land consolidation from 1971-73.
The "Eselstratt" of Trittenheim
Oldest testimony of the settlement of our homeland
This is an approximately 3500 year old menhir, which was erected by the megalithic culture, which invaded the Middle Moselle region from Brittany. Clear prehistoric traces of workmanship reveal a circular depression as a navel and two wide grooves as arms. The whole stone resembles a broad figure with a small head and indicates a matriarchal fertility cult in the Neolithic. A mother deity was supposed to protect the earth and ensure good growth and flourishing, because according to the beliefs of the Megalithic people, all life sprang from Mother Earth.
The menhir (Celtic: long stone) stands today exactly on the boundary of the municipalities of Trittenheim, Köwerich and Klüsserath directly on the old pilgrimage route to Klausen.
Its popular name "Eselstratt" refers to the round depression. A legend reports: A Christian virgin, fleeing from a pagan knight, saved herself at this point with her mount, a donkey, by jumping violently into the valley. The hoofprint of the donkey was left behind. The knight converted to Christianity at the sight of the miracle.
The heavy stone has been lying flat for years and was erected here again in the course of the land consolidation in 1971-73 by the local community of Trittenheim.
On the map
Moselweinstrasse 55
54349 Trittenheim
DE
Phone: (0049) 0049 6507 2227
Fax: (0049) 0049 6507 2040
E-mail: info@trittenheim.de
Website: www.trittenheim.de