Site description Visbeker Bräutigam:
One of Germany's most famous megalithic sites. Large rectangular long-barrow 104m x 8,5m (largest among appr. 400 remaining tombs in Lower Saxony), orientated appr. 95° (appr W-E). Parallel orientated chamber near the W-end.
The planned route of the motorway A1 was fortunately changed in the 1950s to save this and the other nearby late neolithic tombs [2]. Earthwork: Largely eroded especially in the east, but the chamber in the west is still embedded into some remains of the barrow. Measuring 104m x 8-9m. Original height 2-3m (1,5m and less remaining)
Kerbstones: 126 kerbstones (according to [2]) are preserved. Only approximately 20 are missing. These are either removed or fallen and covered by the disintegrated earthwork. Of the remaining kerbstones some are still in situ, most are slightly moved or even fallen to barrow's outside. Like at similar sites, the kerbstones at the short sides are the largest. In this case especially in the East. The Eastern short side was built of 5 large kerbstones, all appr. 1,6-3m high. Three of them unfortunately are fallen. These larger kerbstones at the short sides of long barrows are often called “Wächter” (means: “guard” or “guardian”) in Germany. Chamber: The chamber is situated 12m away from barrow's W-end. Size is appr. 10m x 3m. It is still embedded into the barrow except for its 5 capstones. The tops of some orthostats are visible. Most probably the chamber is perfectly preserved.
Legend: According to a well known legend in this area the “Visbeker Braut” (“Braut” means “Bride”) is a bridal procession that turned to stone. The daughter of a wealthy farmer was forced to marry a man she did not love. So in her despair she begged god for turning her to stone to prevent these marriage. And obviously he fulfilled her wish. The petrified bridal procession of the bridegroom is the “Visbeker Bräutigam”.
Access remarks: If you want to enjoy the site in silence, do not go there at times when tourists or school classes would regularly do this. Nevertheless the Motorway A1 is nearby and this causes some strange noise even at night. The site is surrounded by woods, so it is more impressive in the winter.
References: [1] Sprockhoff, Ernst (et al.) – Atlas der Megalithgräber Deutschlands – Teil 3 Niedersachsen - Westfalen, Habelt, Bonn, 1975, Atlasband p. 154/155, Textband p. 13 [2] Rothmann, B. - http://www.steinzeugen.de (Excellent website covering megalithic tombs and barrows in the „Naturpark Wildeshauser Geest“)
Fuente:
Fotos de Martin Lehnert
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