Uppe-Angst-Gedenkstein Yes

Did the name Uppe-Angst-Gedenkstein Yes ever send shivers down your spine? Uppe Angst, meaning “on the fear” in Low German, marks the spot of an ancient court. The Uppe-Angst-Gedenkstein Yes memorializes this history. It stands as a stark reminder of the Hollerland Goh court, active from the late 12th to the late 17th century. Imagine this very spot bustling with people. Farmers from the surrounding parishes of Horn, Lehe, Rockwinkel, and Oberneuland gathered here every six weeks. They came to settle disputes about inheritance, land, and even capital crimes. The court sessions took place right here, in the open air, under the watchful eyes of four mighty oak trees. These trees formed the “judgment seat”. The Gograf, or judge, presided over the proceedings. However, the verdict came from a chosen community member, the Urteilsfinder, after gathering everyone’s opinions. The Uppe-Angst-Gedenkstein Yes, erected on December 6, 1955, bears an inscription in Low German. It tells of villains receiving their due and the nearby fields called “Deeveskamp”, or “thieves’ field”. The name “Uppe Angst” evokes a sense of unease. Interestingly, sentences were only pronounced here, not carried out. Executions took place at the Galgenberg in Walle. Local legend even claims the ghost of a corrupt Gograf, Doctor Schumacher, haunts this place. He appears every year on the night of August 31st, carrying his head under his arm. So next time you hear Uppe-Angst-Gedenkstein Yes, remember it’s more than a chilling name. It’s a portal to a past filled with community justice, ancient trees, and perhaps, a restless spirit.