Napoleonstein Stone

Hidden deep within the Ettersberg forest lies the Napoleonstein. It’s an unassuming limestone marker. It’s etched with a simple date: 1808. This weathered stone whispers a tale of a grand hunt. It took place during the Congress of Erfurt. Duke Carl August hosted this lavish event on October 6, 1808. The guest list glittered with royalty and high-ranking officials. Among them were French Emperor Napoleon I, Russian Tsar Alexander I, and King Friedrich August of Saxony. The Congress of Erfurt aimed to forge political alliances. However, it wasn’t entirely successful. Napoleon found the grand hunt disappointing. The game bagged fell short of his expectations. Chroniclers subtly noted his rather moderate shooting skills might have been to blame. The Napoleonstein marks the very spot where a magnificent tent hall once stood. Supported by 26 pillars, it symbolized the gathering of powerful figures. Years later, in 1817, 26 linden trees were planted at Duke Carl August’s behest. These “Kaiserlinden” (Emperor’s Lindens) serve as a living memorial to the event. The Napoleonstein and the Kaiserlinden slumbered, forgotten for many years. Now, thanks to a joint project, they are being reawakened. The forest paths leading to the Napoleonstein are being restored. New signs and information boards will guide visitors to this historical site. The Napoleonstein stands as a quiet testament to a moment of grand spectacle. It is a hidden gem within the tranquil forest.