Suddenly it stands before you. This Findling Naturdenkmal in Essen is a silent witness to time.
This natural monument tells a tale of ancient glaciers. It is a tale of natural beauty. We stand before a protected treasure. The Findling is protected for its scientific significance. It also holds natural history and local importance. Its rarity and unique beauty also make it special.
In Essen, various natural elements are designated as natural monuments. These include trees, hedges, climbing plants and springs. Findlinge and geological formations also enjoy this status. The Findling Naturdenkmal is one such designated site.
The law strictly protects these monuments. Destroying, damaging or altering a Naturdenkmal is strictly forbidden. Essen has specific regulations to protect these treasures. These are detailed in the Verordnung zur Sicherung von Naturdenkmalen. The Landschaftsplan Essen also provides protection. The Ordnungsbehördliche Verordnung protects the city’s natural monuments since 2020.
The city of Essen cares for plant-based natural monuments. This includes trees, hedges, and climbing plants. The Untere Naturschutzbehörde handles this. Property owners are not responsible for this care.
A map shows all Naturdenkmäler in Essen. It also notes proposals for new natural monuments. The Naturdenkmalverordnung for the inner city was updated in 2020. Updates for outer areas will follow a new landscape plan.
One notable Findling lies on a playground. It is located at Graf-Zeppelin-Straße 26 in Essen-Kettwig. This impressive stone measures about 120x80x80 cm. It is a Nordic erratic. This means that the Findling is a glacial deposit from the Ice Age. The stone consists of reddish granite.
Another Findling sits at the Kettwiger Schleuse. It is dedicated by the Ruhrverband to the city of Kettwig. Workers found it during the Kettwiger See construction. The company Wilh Hirdes in Herne dredged it. Fried Rempke in Hagen helped set it up here.
The inscription states that the Findling weighs 120 Ctr. This Findling is a protected natural monument.
The city of Essen boasts many Findlinge. They are scattered across different districts. In Essen’s Stadtbezirk I, you can find several Findlinge. One is on Kruppstraße 5. It measures 1.80 m x 1.00 m x 1.40 m and is made of granite gneiss. Another lies in the Grünanlage Kaupenstraße. This Findling measures 200 cm x 160 cm x 120 cm and consists of granite. A third is in Huttrop. It measures 125 cm x 180 cm x 105 cm and is also granite.
In Stadtbezirk III, a Findling is located on Onckenstraße. It measures 220 cm x 180 cm x 140 cm and consists of granite. Another one can be found on Margaretenstraße 40. This one is a Rapakiwi granite. A group of three Findlinge is in Westpark. These are made of Braunkohle-Quarzit. Another Findling is on Mülheimer Straße 126. This one is Revsund granite.
Stadtbezirk VIII has several Findlinge too. One is on Antropstraße. This Findling measures 2.20 m x 2.80 m x 1.00 m. It consists of white Sala-Granit. Another one is on Hinseler Feld 1. A third one is on Nockwinkel 62. This is Silan-Granit. Another Findling is on Nockwinkel 87. It is Perniö-Granit. In Stadtbezirk IX, a Findling is on Rutherweg 39. Another one is on Graf-Zeppelin-Straße. A Findling also sits on the Ruhrpromenadenweg. Finally, one is on Am Richrath 50. This Findling is made of Quartzdion.
These Findlinge are silent storytellers. They connect us to Essen’s natural past. Each stone is a testament to nature’s artistry. They are protected for future generations.
Take a moment to appreciate this Findling Naturdenkmal. Let’s reflect on the importance of preserving Earth’s treasures. These stones are not just rocks. They are pieces of history. They are natural art. They are a legacy.