Teufelskeller (Oberelsbach)
The Teufelskeller is a cave on the southern slope of the Gangolfsberg near Oberelsbach in the Lower Franconian district of Rhön-Grabfeld , which was created by breaking off a rock from the rock face behind it. The cave is located about 800 meters above sea level .
description
Geologically , the cave is located on a rock face with a section of two basalt ceilings above a discordance consisting of a ceiling that is more or less horizontally layered in the hanging wall, underneath is a ceiling made of steep basalt columns that are bent over directly under the discordance. An earlier interpretation of the formation as a gas bubble in the magma cannot be confirmed.
The cave measures approximately 5 m × 3 m × 1.5 m and can be climbed safely. A longer stay in the cave is not recommended due to the small size and weather conditions. The cave is located in the Oberelsbach district. The Teufelskeller is designated as a geotope . It is stated to be of geoscientific value. The cave is considered to be of local importance and tourism. It can be easily reached from the circular and nature trail around the Gangolfsberg with access from the Schweinfurt house .
legend
The following legends are popularly told about the Teufelskeller:
- “When the Rhön was still pagan , the devil still felt himself to be master of the area. But then St. Kilian came into the country, preached Christianity , and many were baptized . That made the devil terribly angry. When the construction of a church in the valley began , the devil got so angry that he dragged all the stones that had been brought to the church to the Gangolfsberg and joined them together so tightly into a grotto that they are no longer human can break apart. When people saw this, they drew a cross on each brick. The devil had to keep his hands off it. But the stones that he had brought up before form the devil's church. "
- “When the devil was still on earth, he hid under the huge basalt block with the entrance to a dark cave. Unsuspecting farmers, berry hunters or hard-working forest workers had to make his acquaintance. He offered the good people money to win them over for his machinations and to dissuade them from the right path. One day, however, someone confided in a priest because he felt guilty. On the same day some courageous men went out with the clergyman to drive the devil out of his hiding place with prayers and holy water . So it happened too. In the cave there was a brutal smell of sulfur and when the pastor sprayed the holy water, the devil drove out of the cave with curses and has not been seen since. That's why the place is still called the Teufelskeller today and sometimes it is said to smell of sulfur there too. "
Web links
- Article on rhoenline.de, accessed on May 24, 2015
- Article on oberelsbach-rhoen.de, accessed on May 24, 2015
Individual evidence
- ↑ Geotope register Bavaria: Teufelskeller am Gangolfsberg NW von Oberelsbach Geotope number: 673R003 (accessed on September 11, 2015)
Coordinates: 50 ° 27 ′ 46 ″ N , 10 ° 5 ′ 5 ″ E