Windknollen, Summit in Jena, Germany.
Windknollen is a hilltop near Jena rising to 363 meters, whose slopes feature short-grass vegetation and shell limestone rock formations. The area includes several walking paths and viewpoints that offer views across the surrounding landscape.
The hilltop was a site of the Battle of Jena and Auerstedt and is marked by the Napoleon Stone, which commemorates these events. Later, the area served as a military training ground until military use ended in 1990.
The name Windknollen refers to the windy exposure of the hilltop, which shapes the landscape. The dry grasslands and specialized plants create an unusual setting that resembles steppe environments and attracts many rare animal species.
The hilltop is accessible via several walking trails that offer good conditions throughout the year. The paths are marked with navigation aids and suit visitors of different experience levels.
The terrain contains remnants from military activities spanning decades, which are now part of an environmental management system. This restoration work makes the site an example of how historical military grounds can be reclaimed.
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