Kriemhildenstuhl, Roman quarry near Bad Dürkheim, Germany.
Kriemhildenstuhl is a Roman stone quarry on the southeastern side of the Kästenberg mountain, situated about 250 meters above sea level. The site shows large sandstone terraces and rock formations shaped by extraction work.
The 22nd Roman Legion quarried whitish-quartzitic sandstone here around 200 CE and left numerous inscriptions carved into the rock. Scientific investigations between 1884 and 1939 documented the Roman extraction techniques and work organization.
The name Kriemhildenstuhl references a legend from the Nibelungen saga, though the place was actually a Roman stone quarry. This naming shows how local stories and historical reality blend at such sites.
The site is accessible year-round and can be reached via walking paths from surrounding areas or by train to Bad Dürkheim. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the terrain is uneven.
Hundreds of engravings remain carved into the rocks, including dedications to the god Jupiter and references to commanders of the 22nd Legion. These personal marks and messages offer a rare glimpse into the daily life of Roman workers.
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