Alter Schwede, Kroge, Glacial erratic in Lohne, Germany
The Alter Schwede is a granite glacial erratic that rises about 4.5 meters high and stands out in the landscape near Lohne. This stone forms a notable rocky landmark that shapes the character of the surrounding terrain.
This granite block was carried from Scandinavia during the Elster glaciation around 400,000 years ago, showing the power of ice age forces. The stone's placement reveals how glaciers reshaped the landscape of northern Europe.
The name Old Swede comes from a local legend passed down through generations about this stone. Local people have woven this erratic into their regional stories and sense of place.
The stone is accessible by walking paths with informational signs explaining its geological origin. Visitors can reach this site on foot without special equipment or preparation.
The stone weighs around 30 tonnes, revealing the enormous forces that glaciers exerted when moving boulders across vast distances. Few visitors realize how this single block of rock documents an entire geological era preserved in one place.
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