Shrouded in legend, Der Altkönig stands before us. The sculpture portrays a legendary old king. It is located in Oberursel.
Since 2004, this sculpture “Der Altkönig” has stood here. Inga Dilcher-Hassenstein, born in Usingen in 1908, created it. The sculpture resides in the former Camp King.
The name Altkönig has evolved. In 1496, it was ald kune. By 1511, it was alten kune. 1586 saw it as altkünn and alt kin. 1780 it was called Altkün and Altküng.
Helmut Bode suggests a Celtic origin. He connects it to “alkin” meaning height. Erasmus Alberus mentioned Altköng in his 1534 poem. He called it the seat of the German king.
The Altkönig mountain itself is significant. It is the third highest in the Taunus range. It reaches 798.2 meters above sea level. The summit lies within Kronberg im Taunus. It’s near Königstein im Taunus. This is part of Falkenstein in Hochtaunuskreis.
Altkönig’s isolation is 2,450 meters. Its prominence is over 136 meters above the Fuchstanz saddle. This saddle leads to Kleiner Feldberg. The Altkönig is a striking peak in the Taunus.
It forms the crown of the High Taunus with Großer Feldberg and Kleiner Feldberg. Unlike Feldberg, it rises south and parallel to the main ridge.
The Altkönig features several historical sites. There is the Altkönig Circular Rampart. On its spurs are Lips and Victoria Temples. Also, the White Wall and Hünerberg Circular Rampart are found here.
Local institutions bear its name. These include Altkönig School in Kronberg. Also, the Altkönig Foundation and Altkönig Hall in Steinbach. Many roads are named after the mountain.
The Altkönig rises in the Taunus Nature Park. Its summit is about 2.3 km north of Falkenstein. It is also 7 km west-northwest of Oberursel. The White Wall lies on the northeast spur. The Hünerberg is on the southeast spur. The Bürgel is on the south-southeast spur. The Döngesberg is on the south spur.
Several watercourses originate here. The Maßborn rises on the northern flank. It flows east of the mountain. It is a source brook of the Urselbach. The Treisbornbach rises on the western flank. It joins the Reichenbach flowing southwards.
The Altkönig nature reserve lies here. It was designated in 1944. Its area is 2.0555 km2. The summit region is a Fauna-Flora Habitat.
Celts settled on the Altkönig around 400 BC. This was during the La Tène period. The Altkönig Hillfort dates from that time. Its circular ramparts are still visible. They measure about 980 m and 1390 m long.
The Hünerberg Hillfort also sits on the Altkönig spur. It was likely an early mediaeval Frankish settlement.
Lips Temple offers viewing points. It stands on the southwest spur. From there, you can see the Altkönig and Falkenstein. The Upper Rhine Plain is also visible. Furthermore, the ruins of Falkenstein Castle and Großer Feldberg can be seen.
Victoria Temple offers views of the Upper Rhine Plain. You can also see the Odenwald Forest.
The summit plateau has a trig point. On clear days, views extend to the Upper Rhine Plain and Frankfurt. Tables and benches are provided.
In 1971, a plane crash occurred on the Altkönig. Six people died. A memorial stone marks the crash site.
No roads lead directly to the Altkönig. It is less frequented than the Großer Feldberg. Hiking trails reach the summit from all directions. The E1 European long-distance path crosses the mountain.
So as you stand before Der Altkönig, remember its rich history. Think of the Celts. Consider the kings and the mountain’s many names.