Rothesteinhöhle

The Rothesteinhöhle is a limestone cave with a tight crevice entrance that opens into a winding passage featuring several wider chambers inside the rock formation. The interior reveals natural rock features and different levels of passage width as you move deeper into the system.

Excavations in 1883 uncovered layers of pottery and bones dating to the Bronze Age period. The findings show that different groups used the cave over an extended span of time.

The cave shows evidence of ritual practices through pottery and bones left behind by its earliest inhabitants. Visitors today can sense how people gathered here to perform ceremonial activities thousands of years ago.

A visit requires sure-footedness since the narrow crevice entrance and uneven ground inside demand careful movement. Access is limited during winter months to protect the bat population from disturbance during hibernation.

A passage discovered in 1954 called the von-Hase corridor held bronze dagger blades and bone tools showing sophisticated craftsmanship from early inhabitants. These objects provide a rare window into the skilled techniques people used thousands of years ago.

Location: Holzminden

GPS coordinates: 51.94640,9.66131

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44