Rather than calling it a day after our tour of Schloss Solitude, we decided to visit the Birkenkopf before heading home. This “Rubble Hill” or Monte Scherbelino (Mount Shards), as the locals call it, is the highest point within the inner regions of Stuttgart; thus, it provides a spectacular panoramic view of the city and surrounding areas. However, the beautiful view is not the only reason to take a hike up to the top. Between the years of 1953 and 1957, 52.972 million cubic feet of debris from Stuttgart was piled on top of the hill raising its elevation from 1,545.28 feet to 1,677.17 feet above sea level. This debris was the result of the 53 air strikes against Stuttgart during World War II, which destroyed 39,125 buildings, approximately 68% of the city, and killed 4,477 people.
Although it was a chilly afternoon and we didn’t know what sort of a hike we were getting ourselves into, we decided to give it a shot. We parked at the bottom of the hill and started walking up. The trail was paved, wide, and full of people walking and running in both directions. About half way up we came to a covered shelter filled with graffiti.
Random Fact: My husband thoroughly enjoys taking close-up shots…
After circling up the hill a few times on the trail, we saw piles of concrete ahead and knew we had made it to the top.
Placed on the top of the piles were some elaborate facade pieces of the destroyed buildings and houses.
The plaque attached to this piece of rubble states: This mountain was built after the Second World War from the rubble of the town to stand as a memorial of the dead and a warning to the living.
The trail took a final curve and opened to the summit of the hill. The steel cross that stands on the top was placed there in 2003; it replaced the original 1953 wooden cross. Apparently in the summer, early morning services are held here – what an experience that would be.
Looking northeast from the summit the whole city center of Stuttgart can be seen.
Close-up of downtown Stuttgart. There are no large skyscrapers like we are used to seeing in the States.
View to the east from the summit. We believe the Swabian Alps are seen in the distance. The two towers are the Stuttgart TV Tower, on the right, and the Stuttgart Telecommunication Tower, on the left.
The view to the south – we’re not sure what town this is.
Looking southwest toward the Black Forest.
It was a gorgeous evening for the hike and this is a beautiful memorial to such a horrific event in human history.
Andy and Erin 