Donnersberg
| Donnersberg | |
|---|---|
The Donnersberg seen from Steinbach
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 687 m above sea level (NN) (2,254 ft) |
| Prominence | 417 metres (1,368 ft) |
| Isolation | 55 kilometres (34 mi) |
| Coordinates | 49°37′31″N 7°54′53″E / 49.62528°N 7.91472°ECoordinates: 49°37′31″N 7°54′53″E / 49.62528°N 7.91472°E |
| Geography | |
| Parent range | North Palatine Uplands |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type |
Rhyolite cryptodome |
The Donnersberg is the highest peak of the Palatinate (German: Pfalz) region of Germany. The mountain lies between the towns of Rockenhausen en Kirchheimbolanden, in the Donnersbergkreis district, which is named after the mountain. The highway A63 runs along the southern edge of the Donnersberg. European walking route E8 runs across the mountain.
The highest point of the Donnersberg is the rock Königstuhl ("king's seat") at 687 metres above sea level. The mountain has a diameter of about 7 kilometres and covers an area of some 2,400 hectares. The Donnersberg was formed by volcanic activity during the Permian, in the transition period between the lower and upper Rotliegend strata.
The name Donnersberg is thought to refer to Donar, the Germanic god of thunder, a theory supported by the fact that the Romans dubbed the Donnersberg Mons Jovis after their god of thunder, Jupiter. According to other theories, the name of the mountain was derived from the Celtic dunum (meaning "mountain") or from the name of a Celtic deity, Taranis.
During the Celtic La Tène period, around 150 BC, an important settlement (oppidum) was built on the Donnersberg, covering some 240 hectares. Part of the wall (Keltenwall) surrounding this settlement has been reconstructed. Archeological excavations are ongoing.
In the Middle Ages, five castles surrounded the strategically placed mountain: Tannenfels, Wildenstein, Hohenfels, Falkenstein and Ruppertsecken. Today, only ruins remain of these five castles.
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Wikipedia