Menhir von Benzingerode

The Menhir von Benzingerode is a prehistoric standing stone made of quartzite located northeast of the village of Benzingerode in northern Germany. This megalithic monument rises prominently from the landscape and represents one of the most important stone monuments in the Harz region.

Excavations carried out in 1939 revealed a stone-packed grave oriented from east to west beneath the menhir. The site also shows evidence of later activities, including a pit filled with burn residues and a Roman-era burial urn deposit.

The stone structure belongs to a group of megalithic monuments in the region, reflecting burial practices and architectural methods of prehistoric Germanic populations.

The menhir stands in open countryside and can be reached via small paths from the rest area along Federal Road 6. Visitors should bring appropriate gear for a country walk and check conditions before heading out to the site.

Between 1975 and 1983, researchers discovered over 600 ceramic fragments scattered around the stone, spanning from the Early Neolithic period through medieval times. These findings show that people returned to this location repeatedly across several millennia.