Bungsberg
Encyclopedia
The Bungsberg is the highest point in the north German state of Schleswig-Holstein
(elevation: 168 metres (551.2 ft)). It lies in the region known as Holstein Switzerland in the municipality
of Schönwalde am Bungsberg
between Scheelholz and Mönchsneversdorf.
The Bungsberg telecommunications tower
is located on the Bungsberg.
One of the longest rivers in Schleswig-Holstein, the Schwentine
, rises on the Bungsberg.
terminal moraine
. Unusually, though, it was formed in the Saale glaciation period about 150,000 years ago. During the subsequent Weichselian glaciation – only about 10,000 years ago – the ice sheet
could not cover the hill due to its height, it could only flow around it, and it therefore formed a nunatak
.
Today the Bungsberg is a popular viewing point, from which the Baltic Sea
may be seen in good weather. An observation tower
, the Elisabethturm, was built in 1863 and 1864 on the Bungsberg by the Grand Duke of Oldenburg and, after being increased in height by four metres in 1875, is 22 metres high. It is not open to the public today.
As a replacement, a viewing platform was installed halfway up the telecommunications tower on the Bungsberg (see below). In April of 2007, the facilities for visitors to the Bungsberg looked rather neglected. The inn was largely demolished and completely fenced off. The observation deck was closed due to vandalism. In late May, 2007, after two years of restoration, the tower was re-opened to visitors. Those who climbed the 200 steps to the viewing platform had a unique view in clear weather over large parts of Schleswig-Holstein, and beyond to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Later, the platform was closed again.
In winter the Bungsberg is Germany's most northerly skiing
area and the only one in Schleswig-Holstein with its own drag lift installed for the few days each year when there is enough snow cover. A downhill run on one of the three pistes lasts about 25 seconds; the lift takes a minute and a half to haul skiers to the top. One piste is for tobogganists and two for skiers or snowboarders. The 300-metre-long downhill piste has a gradient of 17 grad
. In the 2009-2010 seasson up to several hundred people used the slopes daily, some even travelling from Lübeck, Hamburg or Kiel. The 250-metre-long steel cable lift with its 34 zinc pylons can in theory transport up to 600 people an hour to the summit. It was procured in 1970-1971 by the parish of Schönwald am Bungsberg in order to increase tourism. As a result of the weather the lift ran for only one week in 2008-2009 and not at all in 2007-2008. Several years ago snow cannon were employed by an event organisor.
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany, comprising most of the historical duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig...
(elevation: 168 metres (551.2 ft)). It lies in the region known as Holstein Switzerland in the municipality
Municipalities of Germany
Municipalities are the lowest level of territorial division in Germany. This may be the fourth level of territorial division in Germany, apart from those states which include Regierungsbezirke , where municipalities then become the fifth level.-Overview:With more than 3,400,000 inhabitants, the...
of Schönwalde am Bungsberg
Schönwalde am Bungsberg
Schönwalde am Bungsberg is a municipality in the district of Ostholstein, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany....
between Scheelholz and Mönchsneversdorf.
The Bungsberg telecommunications tower
Bungsberg telecommunications tower
The Bungsberg telecommunications tower is a 179-metre-high telecommunications tower situated on the Bungsberg, a hill which is the highest point in the north German state of Schleswig-Holstein.The tower, which belongs to Deutsche Telekom, is used for directional radio links, FM radio and television...
is located on the Bungsberg.
One of the longest rivers in Schleswig-Holstein, the Schwentine
Schwentine
The Schwentine is a river in the North German state of Schleswig-Holstein. It is approximately 62 kilometres long and rises on the hill of Bungsberg, the highest point in the state, near the village of Kasseedorf in Ostholstein. It then runs from its source to Kiel where it flows into the Kiel...
, rises on the Bungsberg.
Formation
The Bungsberg is an ice ageIce age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
terminal moraine
Terminal moraine
A terminal moraine, also called end moraine, is a moraine that forms at the end of the glacier called the snout.Terminal moraines mark the maximum advance of the glacier. An end moraine is at the present boundary of the glacier....
. Unusually, though, it was formed in the Saale glaciation period about 150,000 years ago. During the subsequent Weichselian glaciation – only about 10,000 years ago – the ice sheet
Ice sheet
An ice sheet is a mass of glacier ice that covers surrounding terrain and is greater than 50,000 km² , thus also known as continental glacier...
could not cover the hill due to its height, it could only flow around it, and it therefore formed a nunatak
Nunatak
A nunatak is an exposed, often rocky element of a ridge, mountain, or peak not covered with ice or snow within an ice field or glacier. The term is typically used in areas where a permanent ice sheet is present...
.
Leisure and recreation
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
may be seen in good weather. An observation tower
Observation tower
An observation tower is a structure used to view events from a long distance and to create a full 360 degree range of vision. They are usually at least tall and made from stone, iron, and wood. Many modern towers are also used as TV towers, restaurants, or churches...
, the Elisabethturm, was built in 1863 and 1864 on the Bungsberg by the Grand Duke of Oldenburg and, after being increased in height by four metres in 1875, is 22 metres high. It is not open to the public today.
As a replacement, a viewing platform was installed halfway up the telecommunications tower on the Bungsberg (see below). In April of 2007, the facilities for visitors to the Bungsberg looked rather neglected. The inn was largely demolished and completely fenced off. The observation deck was closed due to vandalism. In late May, 2007, after two years of restoration, the tower was re-opened to visitors. Those who climbed the 200 steps to the viewing platform had a unique view in clear weather over large parts of Schleswig-Holstein, and beyond to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Later, the platform was closed again.
In winter the Bungsberg is Germany's most northerly skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
area and the only one in Schleswig-Holstein with its own drag lift installed for the few days each year when there is enough snow cover. A downhill run on one of the three pistes lasts about 25 seconds; the lift takes a minute and a half to haul skiers to the top. One piste is for tobogganists and two for skiers or snowboarders. The 300-metre-long downhill piste has a gradient of 17 grad
Grad
- Geometry & measurement :* Grad , a unit of angular measurement* Gradient of a scalar field, a differential operator in mathematics- Education related events & ceremonies :* Graduation ceremony, prom, or a graduate...
. In the 2009-2010 seasson up to several hundred people used the slopes daily, some even travelling from Lübeck, Hamburg or Kiel. The 250-metre-long steel cable lift with its 34 zinc pylons can in theory transport up to 600 people an hour to the summit. It was procured in 1970-1971 by the parish of Schönwald am Bungsberg in order to increase tourism. As a result of the weather the lift ran for only one week in 2008-2009 and not at all in 2007-2008. Several years ago snow cannon were employed by an event organisor.