Ibengarten, Protected nature reserve in Dermbach, Germany
Ibengarten is a protected nature reserve located in the Wiesenthal region, situated on the slopes of the Neuberg mountain. The site contains a forest dominated by yew trees, a species that grows here in considerable numbers and across many age groups.
The area received official protection in 1938 after a forester named Otto Staudt advocated for preserving the forest. His efforts led to one of the earlier conservation designations for a woodland in this region.
The area near Ibengarten contains a cave that served as a shelter for Rhönpaulus, a figure from regional folklore who became part of local storytelling traditions.
Visitors can walk through the reserve on marked paths and should follow conservation guidelines at all times. Hiking boots and weather-appropriate clothing are helpful since the ground is uneven and mountain conditions can change quickly.
The reserve contains around 50 yew trees that are over 500 years old, making them among the oldest of their kind in Central Europe. This concentration of ancient trees makes the site botanically remarkable for its depth of age.
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