Externsteine in the Teutoburg Forest, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 11 Nov 2025

Externsteine in the Teutoburg Forest, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Nestled in the heart of Germany"s Teutoburg Forest, near the town of Horn-Bad Meinberg in North Rhine-Westphalia, the dramatic rock formations known as the Externsteine rise majestically into the sky. These sandstone pillars, formed around 70 million years ago, are among Germany"s most significant natural and cultural landmarks. They captivate visitors with their unique shapes and rich historical significance, attracting thousands each year. The rocks reach heights of up to 35 metres. As early as the Middle Ages, the site was used as a place of worship, as evidenced by a remarkable 12th-century relief carved into the stone depicting the Descent from the Cross. It is the oldest of its kind north of the Alps.

© Michael Sroka/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

A wave of remembrance
11 Nov 2023Val di Funes, Italy
11 Nov 2024Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Heads together
A bevy of buzzers
29 Nov 2024Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
25 Dec 2023Christmas Day
28 Nov 2024City Hall, London, England
12 Dec 2024Poinsettia or Christmas flower
27 Nov 2024Tombeau du Géant in Bouillon, Belgium
The rolling hills of Moravia
Taking a New Year nap
30 Nov 2024Saint Andrews Day
21 May 2025International Tea Day
30 Nov 2023Leadenhall Market, London
17 May 2024Endangered Species Day
1 Jul 2024Canada Day
3 Oct 2023Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
2 Aug 2025Cowes Week
Ride the wave
From victory to festivity
2 Mar 2025Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, Australia
16 Dec 2023Guild houses of Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium
23 May 2025World Turtle Day
A gorge-ous place to drop in
1 Dec 2024Antarctica Day
5 Oct 2024Follow the teacher!
11 Jun 2024Gemsboks in the savannah, Botswana
20 Oct 2025International Sloth Day
5 Nov 2023Guy Fawkes Night
27 Mar 2025World Theatre Day
12 Sep 2024World Dolphin Day
The butterfly effect