Gazing upon these silent giants, the Oltersteine, one can’t help but wonder about the stories they could tell. The Oltersteine, two imposing brownish-coal quartzites, stand guard at the northern edge of the Junge Heide in Dresden’s Wilschdorf district. These remarkable stones, each about one and a half meters high and three meters wide, are more than just rocks. They’re designated natural monuments, whispers of a distant past. The Oltersteine rest within the protected landscape of the Dresden Heath. Their location, between Oltersteinweg and Am Weinberg, places them south of Wilschdorf and its gardens. They stand a mere 400 meters northwest of the Dresden-Hellerau motorway junction. These ancient stones were not always Dresden residents. During the Elster Ice Age, they journeyed here as glacial erratics from the Niederlausitzer lignite region. Then, the winds of the Weichsel Ice Age, carrying fine sand grains, sculpted their surfaces smooth. Over time, natural weathering has carved irregular depressions into the stone. These markings sparked intriguing interpretations in centuries past. Some believed the Oltersteine were a pagan sacrificial site. The name “Olter,” linked to the word “altar,” further fueled this theory. The Oltersteine, along with the nearby Olterteich, have been under protection since 1937. Recognized for their rarity and unique character, they continue to fascinate and inspire awe. Their silent presence reminds us of the powerful forces that shaped the landscape and the rich history woven into the very fabric of Dresden.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to