Cliff at the Wattertal
The Wattertal begins north of the village "Lützen" (Lütersheim), where the Watter cuts through the layers of the Buntsandstein and forms numerous striking rock cliffs. These are mainly fossiliferous sandstones from the middle Buntsandstein (about 245 million years before today), which are characterized by their pitted and honeycombed weathered surface. Within this formation, which is called the "Wilhelmshausen strata", there is the cave-rich "Hollenkammer".
Tales and legends
These "caves" are the subject of several legends and myths. It is said that little gnomes ("Hollen") lived there and, according to tradition, stole human children from the cribs unnoticed to swap them with their own children. When a human child was born, a light had to burn in the house until the baptism, otherwise the Hollen would come and swap it. Besides this legend, there is another peculiarity. In a rock near the Hollen chamber, carvings were found in the stone, which experts interpret as a representation of a "Stone Age fertility goddess". There are also indications that the place was a pagan place of worship.
TIP
Regular guided tours at the Hollenkammer in the rocky landscape of the Wattertal are conducted by our Geopark guide Brigitte Vernaleken. You can find the guided tour dates in our calendar of events!