Göpelskuppe, Summit hill in Thuringia, Germany.
Göpelskuppe is a hill in Thuringia that reaches about 351 meters and provides wide views across the surrounding landscape from its summit. Forest paths wind up the slope, allowing visitors to explore the natural surroundings throughout the year.
Göpelskuppe takes its name from a 19th-century landowner. The area, cleared of forest since the Middle Ages, was grazed by the sheep and herders' community based at the Nikolaitor. In September 1757, during the Seven Years' War, a large Reichsarmee contingent under the Prince of Saxe-Hildburghausen camped on this strategic height. In the late 19th century the family of brickworks owner and geologist Johann Georg Bornemann acquired the land and planted trees on the steep slope above the Johannistal.
The hill's name dates from the 19th century and comes from its then owner. Until the Middle Ages the area was cleared and farmed, with grazing rights held by Eisenach's shepherds' and herdsmen's cooperative based at the Nikolaitor. The Bornemann family, owners from the late 19th century, planted trees on the steep slope above the Johannistal; the Bornemann-Bank bench on a sightline has offered a view of the Wartburg for over 100 years.
The hill lies about 2.3 km east of Eisenach's centre, above the Johannistal; the Gefilde small settlement sits on its northeast slope. The wooded ridge is reached on foot, and the remains of the artillery position lie in the tree strip along the crest. The Bornemann-Bank viewpoint on a cleared sightline faces the Wartburg.
In the wooded strip along the crest, traces of a gun emplacement secured with trenches are still visible; the site is a protected archaeological monument. In September 1757, during the Seven Years' War, a large contingent of the Imperial Army under the Prince of Saxe-Hildburghausen camped on this strategically important height.
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