History

History and Legends

Discover Romans, Celts & local Myths

Heidenburger Hof has a very long history, dating back to the Romans, Celts and even the Stone Age. In particular, artefacts from the Roman period have been found on the farm. There are also myths and legends surrounding the farm, such as that of the Golden Knight.

History of the Farm

For many, the history of the Heidenburger Hof is closely linked to that of the old oak tree. For a long time, this ancient titan of a tree was the oldest tree in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. At the end of its life it was estimated to be over 2000 years old. It was an important signpost and landmark in the dense forests and valleys of the Hunsrück.

Celts

It is likely that the Celts were already active in the area around the farm. The Celtic tribe of the Treveri lived in the area. Their subjugation by Caesar during the Gallic War was a decisive step in the violent expansion of the Roman Empire.

Romans

Numerous artefacts from local excavations indicate a Roman settlement on the farm. These include the remains of Roman buildings and many shards of ancient pottery. After all, Emperor Constantine’s secret base was the small trading garrison at Neumagen-Dhron on the Moselle, just a few kilometres away.

It is said that Constantine had a divine vision there on the Hill of Constantine in 312 AD, before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Constantine is said to have had a divine vision there in 312 AD, before he marched to the Battle of the Milvian Bridge at the gates of Rome against his rival Maxentius. The words ‘In Hoc Signo Vinces’ appeared to him. Translated, this means: ‘Under this sign you will be victorious’. What was meant was a Christian cross.

Middle Ages

During this period, the old oak probably served as a courtroom for the so-called ‚Thing‘ and ‚Theme‘ courts. The Thinggericht dealt with the lower courts. It dealt with minor offences. The Theme Court, on the other hand, dealt with more serious crimes.

Modern Times and Re-Establishment of the Farm

In 1780, the Bodenbach pastor Johann Sikken (Sycken) travelled from the Eifel to the Hunsrück town of Heidenburg on the Moselle. He was accompanied by his niece Anna Maria Sauer and his sister’s daughter Anna Elisabeth Sikken. The latter married Johann Sauer. A few years later, her brother Mathias Sauer married Anna Maria Kolz, a widow from Heidenburg. After her death at the age of 39, he married Maria Conrad. They had seven children. One of the sons, Mathias Sauer, did the pioneering work. In 1827 he bought a 48-hectare ‚wasteland‘ and began to build the present farm.

Legends

Over the years, many legends and myths have grown up around the Heidenburger Hof and the old oak tree. Here are a few of them.

The Golden Knight

Once upon a time, a battle-hardened knight in golden armour rode to the court of Heidenburg to pass judgement on one of his subjects by the old oak tree. On his way, he saw a light, probably at the end of a rainbow..

Almost blinded by this light, he drove his steed and his companions on and on. Eventually, they entered a deep swamp, and despite the objections of his subjects, the Golden Knight drove his cavalcade deeper into the swamp until they sank.

The Raven

Pilgrims once walked past the Heidenburger Hof at dusk. They fell victim to the robber von Habelstein, who lived in a rock nest nearby. He brutally robbed the pilgrims. But he spared the lives of his victims. When the pilgrims came across a group of crusaders, they reported the robbery. The crusaders immediately gave chase and captured the robber baron. He put up an unexpectedly skilful fight, even killing one of the crusaders and sending them fleeing. The crusaders later buried their companion and erected a cross in the forest.

The robber baron of Habelstein saw this and was so enraged that he smashed it. Shortly afterwards, a violent thunderstorm began. The robber sought shelter under a tree. But that is exactly where the lightning struck and killed him. A raven, who had witnessed the murder, pounced on the corpse and gouged out its eyes. The pitch-black raven buried the eyes with an acorn at the spot where the thick oak tree later rose up.