Have you ever heard of a “Loh”? The Sichtachse Große Loh Sculpture isn’t just a beautiful wooden artwork. It’s a window to the past, nestled along the Regionalparkroute Hohe Straße. This route traces the path of an ancient thoroughfare, once known as the “via regia” or King’s Road. The Sichtachse Große Loh is one of eighteen stations along this modern recreation. It offers breathtaking views of the Taunus mountains and the Main Valley.
The Sichtachse Große Loh Sculpture itself is a series of double steles, directing your gaze towards distant landmarks. These include the quartzite quarry near Köppern and the Staudinger power plant near Großkrotzenburg. The sculptures, crafted from wood, were created by Künstlerische Holzgestaltung Bergmann near Görlitz. The overall project was brought to life by the landscape planning office “plan etage”. The word “Loh” itself has a rich history, likely derived from the Latin “lucus”. It refers to a shared woodland used for private timber production. Imagine communities relying on these shared resources, shaping the very landscape we see today.
The Hohe Straße, where the Sichtachse Große Loh Sculpture stands, has borne witness to centuries of human activity. From Neolithic traders carrying amber to warring factions clashing in the Thirty Years’ War, this ancient route has seen it all. The elevated terrain provided dry passage above the treacherous river valleys, making it a strategic artery for trade and military movements alike. It’s hard to fathom that the same path we stroll along today once echoed with the footsteps of kings, merchants, and soldiers. The route has gone by many names throughout history: Reffenstraße, Alte Straße, Kärrnersweg, and Antsanvia, to name a few. Its inclusion in the “via regia” network in 1252 cemented its importance as a major European thoroughfare.
The Regionalpark project, initiated in 2004, aimed to highlight the historical significance of this ancient route. The Sichtachse Große Loh Sculpture, with its commanding views, allows us to connect with the past. We can almost envision the travelers who journeyed along this path, their lives intertwined with the landscape. It’s a humbling experience to stand at this vantage point, appreciating the layers of history etched into the land. The Sichtachse Große Loh Sculpture is more than just an artwork. It’s a portal through time, a reminder of the countless stories that have shaped this region.