Hirschenstein (Saxony)
Encyclopedia
The Hirschenstein is a mountain in the Saxon Ore Mountains
. It lies about 4 kilometres west of Schneeberg. On the summit is an historic trig point
set up as part of the Royal Saxon Triangulation Network.
the summit was known to the Sorbs
who called it the Recma. In 1864 state surveyors erected a granite column at the top with the inscription "Hirschenstein Station of the Royal Saxon Survey" (Station Hirschenstein der königlich-sächsischen Triangulation).
In the years 1940/41 a 60 metre high wooden tower was erected over the survey point, which was also used as an observation tower. However just 10 years later the stability of the tower could no longer be guaranteed and it was taken down.
In 1964 the Hartmannsdorf Forest (Hartmannsdorfer Wald) that surrounded the summit became a military out-of-bounds zone. No until the disbandment of the Schneeberg mountain infantry battalion in March 2008 did the 1,600 hectare area of woodland become accessible again.
The Hirschenstein is the highest point in the district of Zwickau.
Ore Mountains
The Ore Mountains in Central Europe have formed a natural border between Saxony and Bohemia for many centuries. Today, the border between Germany and the Czech Republic runs just north of the main crest of the mountain range...
. It lies about 4 kilometres west of Schneeberg. On the summit is an historic trig point
Trig point
A triangulation station, also known as a triangulation pillar, trigonometrical station, trigonometrical point, trig station, trig beacon or trig point, and sometimes informally as a trig, is a fixed surveying station, used in geodetic surveying and other surveying projects in its vicinity...
set up as part of the Royal Saxon Triangulation Network.
History
Even before it was settled by FranksFranks
The Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
the summit was known to the Sorbs
Sorbs
Sorbs are a Western Slavic people of Central Europe living predominantly in Lusatia, a region on the territory of Germany and Poland. In Germany they live in the states of Brandenburg and Saxony. They speak the Sorbian languages - closely related to Polish and Czech - officially recognized and...
who called it the Recma. In 1864 state surveyors erected a granite column at the top with the inscription "Hirschenstein Station of the Royal Saxon Survey" (Station Hirschenstein der königlich-sächsischen Triangulation).
In the years 1940/41 a 60 metre high wooden tower was erected over the survey point, which was also used as an observation tower. However just 10 years later the stability of the tower could no longer be guaranteed and it was taken down.
In 1964 the Hartmannsdorf Forest (Hartmannsdorfer Wald) that surrounded the summit became a military out-of-bounds zone. No until the disbandment of the Schneeberg mountain infantry battalion in March 2008 did the 1,600 hectare area of woodland become accessible again.
The Hirschenstein is the highest point in the district of Zwickau.