Sieben-Trappen-Steine

Sieben-Trappen-Steine is a collection of eight cross stones located in Benthe near Hanover, each displaying carved crosses on both front and back surfaces. The stones vary in height and width, standing together beside an old lime tree near the Nenndorf road.

These stones first appeared in written records in 1474, mentioned as 'bey den syven crucen' in historical documents. They form part of the medieval legal landscape of Lower Saxony and document court practices from that era.

These markers stood as places of judgment where local courts held their proceedings and demanded honesty from the accused. The site bore witness to verdicts and symbolized the authority of law in medieval times.

The stones sit beside the Nenndorf road and are accessible by public transportation or car from the Hanover area. The location is easy to reach and offers a look at a preserved piece of legal history.

Despite the name 'Seven Trappen Stones,' the group actually contains eight crosses, not seven as the title suggests. The stones were relocated to their current spot in 1978 to protect them from traffic damage.