“Gunzenle?” a curious voice might ask. What echoes do you think linger near this unassuming Gunzenle Plaque? The Gunzenle Plaque marks a spot steeped in history. It was once a place of great significance. The Gunzenle was a legendary hill on the Lechfeld. This area lies just a few kilometers south of Augsburg.
Sadly, a Lech River flood washed it away in the 15th century. Its exact location remains a bit of a mystery today. Yet, the Gunzenle’s story continues to resonate.
The Gunzenle was more than just a hill. It served as a meeting place for the German Empire. It marked the border between Bavaria and Swabia. Some speculate it was a prehistoric burial mound. In 955, the Battle of Lechfeld occurred nearby. Here, the imperial army defeated the Hungarian forces.
On May 29, 1127, a significant wedding took place at the Gunzenle. Henry the Proud, Duke of Bavaria, married Gertrud of Saxony. She was the daughter of King Lothar III. This union underscored the Gunzenle’s importance in medieval times.
Historians believe the Gunzenle may have been a Hallstatt-era burial mound. Its prominence in the Lechfeld made it a landmark. Evidence of a late Celtic burial field exists northwest of Kissing. Aerial archaeology has confirmed its presence. Even in the early Middle Ages, important figures were buried in mounds.
The “lea” suffix in Gunzenle suggests a raised or piled-up area. Numerous burial sites exist in the surrounding area. One of the largest lies in the Heilach Forest between Kissing and Bachern. Comparable mounds can reach up to 50 meters in diameter. They often stand five to six meters high.
Some historians thought the Gunzenle was a Thing site. These were places for folk and court gatherings. However, historical sources do not confirm this function.
Speculation exists about the Gunzenle’s role before the Battle of Lechfeld. Did the Hungarian army camp here? In the Middle High German epic “Biterolf and Dietleib,” the area served as a camp for the Huns.
Even Charlemagne used the Gunzenle area as a rest stop. In his early reign, he followed the nomadic habits of his predecessors.
During the High Middle Ages, the Gunzenle became a camp for German emperors. They were on their Italian campaigns. The Lechfeld provided ample pasture and water. Important Roman and medieval roads crossed nearby. Frederick II even issued a letter of protection for Augsburg from “apud Gunzenle in castris” in 1264.
The Gunzenle hosted celebrations for Henry the Proud’s wedding from May 22-29, 1127. In 1197, Duke Philipp of Swabia married Irene. She was a Byzantine emperor’s daughter. Knights were knighted during the sword consecration.
The Gunzenle’s importance declined with the fall of the Staufer dynasty. It lost its role as a military camp and assembly point. Though, Rupert of the Palatinate may have passed through in 1401 on his way to Italy.
The exact location of this medieval meeting place has been debated. Local historians from Augsburg, Friedberg, Kissing, and Mering have tried to pinpoint it. Contemporary sources do not directly link it to any specific town. It appears as a boundary marker in the Friedberg Salbuch of 1420.
A small “Gunzenbüchel” remains west of the Munich-Augsburg railway. This replacement hill was supposedly created by Friedberg citizens. It compensated for the original Gunzenle’s loss.
A plot of land near Schwabhof bears the name “Hoher-Berg-Acker.” Aerial archaeology revealed an oval ditch system. A Roman road crosses the railway nearby. A burial mound also exists, possibly the “Hill with the Three Crosses.”
The Lech’s floods claimed the Gunzenle by the 15th century. The snowmelt of 1435 was unusually strong. It lasted until July.
In 1968, large sandstone blocks were found near St. Afra. When put together, they formed a stone seat. Such seats existed at medieval meeting places. The Gunzenle may have been a Thingplatz. An earthwork of unknown age lies northeast. The “Kesselboden” could have served as a camp. The royal court of Mering was nearby for supplies.
Some connect the Kissing castle with the Gunzenle. The Kissing lords may have managed the meeting site. In the 19th century, the mound was mistaken for the Gunzenle itself.
The Gunzenle Plaque, a subtle reminder. It commemorates a place of gatherings, celebrations, and historical shifts. It serves as a silent witness to the ebb and flow of power.