The Isteiner Klotz - on top - functions as a enormous viewing platform. © Maren Siegmann, Museum in der 'Alten Schule'

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Experience nature

Geotope Isteiner Klotz | Historic Istein

Isteiner Klotz, 79588 Efringen-Kirchen

Geotope Isteiner Klotz | Historic Istein
The view of the Rhine Valley is beautiful from everywhere. © Maren Siegmann, Museum in der 'Alten Schule'
The church of Blansingen is located outside the village. © Maren Siegmann, Museum in der 'Alten Schule'
On the inside you can find a hidden treasure: wall frescoes from the 15th century. © Maren Siegmann, Museum in der 'Alten Schule'
Once the Nikolaus Chapell stood at the hight of the Isteiner Klotz. The church was demolished in 1900. Only the sacristy house is still here. © Maren Siegmann, Museum in der 'Alten Schule'
Railway history up close! Each tunnel entry is different. © Maren Siegmann, Museum in der 'Alten Schule'
Until 1850 surrounded by the Rhine, place of pilgrimage, nature reserve and political issue. The chalk rock of the Isteiner Klotz always was a very special place. © Maren Siegmann, Museum in der 'Alten Schule'
Rocks in the river, treacherous rapids. This area of the Rhine used to be very dangerous for ships and their passengers. © Maren Siegmann, Museum in der 'Alten Schule'
Today it is just beautiful to be here despite the season. © Maren Siegmann, Museum in der 'Alten Schule'
Worth seeing: Kleinkems. In Roman times a bridge crossed the Rhine, since Medival times a ferry ran across. But there was only one street uphill towards Blansingen. © Maren Siegmann, Museum in der 'Alten Schule'
© Maren Siegmann | Museum in der 'Alten Schule' Efringen-Kirchen

Welcome to Efringen-Kirchen

Fascinating geological and chronological traces from long and not so long ago can be found in Istein. For example, there is the so-called Klotz, a remarkable overhanging rock, which is actually a former coral reef. Cause 50 million years ago, an ocean stretched out here. During the last Ice Age, the Rhine flowed so high past the western rockfall that it washed out caves from the limestone walls and served as a dwelling place for people from the Middle Stone Age onwards.

At the Klotzenspitze was the monastery "our dear Frowen zu Istein", founded in the 12th century. Markings of the water level show that the monastery was surrounded by water and could only be reached from the village by water.

A walk through the picturesque, protected village centre leads past historic buildings worth seeing. The construction of many houses is particularly vivid evidence that they used to be located directly on the banks of the Rhine. Their open cellars sloping down towards the river ensured that the water could flow away freely during high water.


Museum in the 'Old School House'

Nikolaus-Däublin-Weg 2
79588 Efringen-Kirchen

Tel.: 07628 8205

Opening hours

Sunday and Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Entry

The entry is free.
Guided tours and kids special upon request.

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