Holtwicker Ei, Glacial erratic in Rosendahl, Germany.
The Holtwicker Ei is a massive granite boulder rising about two meters above the ground with an estimated total weight of around 30 tons. This natural monument sits in a small green space at the northern edge of Holtwick and can be reached by local walking paths.
This boulder was carried to its location by glacial forces during the Saale ice age around 200,000 years ago, originating from the Värmland region of Sweden. This ice-age movement shaped the entire landscape of northern Germany, leaving behind thousands of similar granite blocks across the region.
Local narratives tell of the devil's failed attempt to destroy the Holtwick church by throwing this boulder, which landed in its present position.
The boulder is located in a protected area with information signs and is freely accessible year-round. Visitors should note that the site is flat with good walkways, but dressing appropriately for the season is wise since exposure to wind and weather is common.
Most visitors see only the visible portion of the boulder above ground, but beneath the soil surface the stone extends to twice that depth. This hidden extension reveals that the true scale of the boulder lies underground, making it far more substantial than it first appears.
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