Auerberg, Mountain summit in Allgäu, Germany.
Auerberg is a 1,055 m foothill of the Alps in the Allgäu, its summit shared by the municipalities of Bernbeuren and Stötten am Auerberg. St. George's Church stands on the top, and a tight staircase in its tower leads to an observation platform with views toward the Alps. The rounded, partly wooded hill rises 67 m above the Hoher Peißenberg.
Dendrochronological dating shows the Roman civil settlement on the summit began by 13 AD, enclosed by a large earthwork around both hilltops; it was abandoned probably soon after 40 AD, when Cambodunum (Kempten) took over as provincial capital. Some researchers identify the site with Strabo's Damasia. The original parish of St. George probably arose around 800 AD.
The summit church is St. George's, whose original parish is thought to date from around 800 AD. Since 1925 the Georgiritt has been held every year on the Sunday after St. George's feast day (23 April): a field mass with horse blessing, then riders including the local priest circle the church on horseback.
Marked trails lead to the top from a parking area at the base, and most visitors find the walk manageable in a couple of hours. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as some sections of the path can be steep.
The Auerberg is one of the very few summits in the Alpine Foreland where remains of a Roman town layout have been found, making it an unusual site for archaeology. Some of the objects uncovered there are now held in regional museums.
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