Alter Schwede

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Alter Schwede, Glacial erratic in Altona, Germany

The Alter Schwede stands 4.5 meters tall with a circumference of 19.7 meters and weighs 217 tons on the banks of the Elbe River.

This granite boulder traveled from Småland during the Elster Ice Age around 400,000 years ago and remained submerged until its discovery in September 1999.

The name Alter Schwede, meaning Old Swede in German, was officially designated to this natural monument on July 6, 2000 as a protected geological site.

Visitors can reach this geological formation by taking line 62 boat service to Övelgönne, where restaurants and beach bars complement the experience.

This boulder required multiple extraction attempts from its 15-meter depth in the Elbe River before successful placement at its current riverside location.

Location: Altona

Height: 4.5 m

GPS coordinates: 53.54531,9.88787

Latest update: May 16, 2025 05:12

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