Königsberg (North Palatinate Uplands)
| Koenigsberg | ||
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 The Königsberg in autumn |
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| height | 568 m above sea level NHN | |
| location | Verbandsgemeinde Lauterecken-Wolfstein , Kusel district , Rhineland-Palatinate | |
| Mountains | North Palatinate Uplands | |
| Coordinates | 49 ° 34 '43 " N , 7 ° 35' 0" E | |
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The Königsberg is a 568 m high mountain in the community of Lauterecken-Wolfstein in the Kusel district .
geography
The Königsberg lies between Lauter and Talbach and belongs to the North Palatinate Bergland . It is one of the highest mountains in the Kusel district.
The Königsberg massif, which measures around 5 km in north-south direction and around 4 km in east-west direction, includes the two peaks Leienberg (524 m) and Hahnenkopf (535 m). The 546 m high Selberg connects to the south .
Surrounding places are Wolfstein , Reckweilerhof , Aschbach , Hinzweiler , Oberweiler im Tal , Eßweiler and Rutsweiler an der Lauter .
Flora and fauna
The summit of the Königsberg is almost completely forested, only in the lower area of the mountain slope, especially in the west between Eßweiler and Oberweiler in the valley and in the northwest between Hinzweiler and Aschbach, larger areas are used for agriculture. In Wolfstein, on a southern slope below Neu-Wolfstein Castle , wine is grown.
A mixed forest of beech and oak grows predominantly, but individual areas are overgrown with spruce . A special feature can be seen on the Leienberg: the slope towards the Taufenbachtal is almost completely covered with rubble, apart from isolated bushes only stunted, barely head-high oaks and pines grow there .
Due to the varied landscape around the Königsberg, the animal world is also very diverse. The larger mammal species include wild boar , roe deer , red fox, and badger . Some time ago, European mouflons were introduced . There are observations and indications of wild cats , but these cannot be clearly proven.
The usual indigenous representatives of the bird world are present in the vicinity of the Königsberg, but it is not possible to clearly delimit the Königsberg area. The black woodpecker is native to Königsberg . There are indications of the eagle owl , but these cannot be clearly proven. Kingfisher and gray heron live on the Talbach and the red kite is still present.
The Königsberg is designated as an FFH area (area number 6411-302, size 1047 ha).
Leisure activities and sights
There are a variety of trails in Königsberg that are suitable for hiking. However, the routes are not that easy as the ascent from the valleys is very steep. A spectacular view of Wolfstein, which is almost 300 m below, is offered by the “Dreimärker” near the Königsberg summit. There are several huts in Königsberg, some of which are managed by local associations:
- The Hinzweiler Hütte, located on a pond in the Taufental between Königsberg and Leienberg. Opened in summer on Sundays and public holidays.
- The Laufhauser Weiher with a barbecue hut.
- The CJVM hut, also a grill hut.
- The Rutsweiler hut of the Palatinate Forest Association , open on Sundays.
- The hut belonging to the Eßweiler Heimat- und Verkehrsverein (local tourist association) is open on Sundays.
There are also several simple shelters along the paths.
In 2010 the Palatinate High Trail was opened, which leads from Winnweiler over the Donnersberg and the Königsberg to Wolfstein. Parts of the former West Palatinate hiking trail led through the Königsberg.
The “Königsland” Nordic walking trail begins at the youth hostel above Wolfstein: 3 signposted routes lead through Königs- and Selberg. The airfield of the Eßweiler air sports club is on the saddle between Königs- and Selberg .
Attractions
There are 3 castles in Königsberg: In the west, on a foothill above the Talbach, are the ruins of the Sprengelburg . On the eastern slope above the town of Wolfstein, the two castles Alt- and Neu-Wolfstein . Between Rutsweiler an der Lauter and Wolfstein lies the two-church , the last remnant of a lost place. The entrance to the lime mine on Königsberg is in Wolfstein . The remains of the “Schwerspat” pit can still be seen on the summit near the “Kreuzfeld”.
history
A Roman road once led over the height of the Königsberg, coming from the Kaiserslautern area in the direction of Lauterecken .
Mining
The Königsberg is criss-crossed by old tunnels and mines . Since the 18th century barite , mercury , iron ore , lime and coal have been dug here. The names of some mines were Archangel, Schwerspat or Pfälzer Mut (h). The lost place Laufhausen was a mining settlement.
Most of the tunnels have collapsed or filled in, of which only the spoil heaps in front of the former tunnel entrances can be seen. Only the lime mine in Wolfstein, in operation until 1967, is expanded and can be visited as a visitor mine.
At the height of the Königsberg you can still see some remains of the mine “Schwerspat”. Remains of buildings, walled-up tunnel entrances and the foundations of the pillars of a cable car that used to lead from here to Wolfstein are hidden in the forest. The "Schwerspat" was in operation until the 1950s.
From 1725 to the 1950s, intensive mining was carried out on Königsberg, with up to 53 mining operations at times, for more detailed information, see the list of mines in the Palatinate .
