Teufelstein

Teufelstein is a large boulder resting along Jülicher Straße, between the districts of Herongen and Hinsbeck within the town of Straelen in North Rhine-Westphalia, right next to the Blaue Lagune lake. The stone stands along the route of an ancient Roman road that once connected Xanten and Cologne, placing it at a crossroads of several historical eras along the Lower Rhine.

What is the Teufelstein made of?

The boulder consists of brown coal sandstone (Braunkohlensandstein), a rock originally formed in the Middle Rhine region. For a long time, it was assumed to be a glacial erratic carried to the area by the Scandinavian ice sheet during the last ice age. That theory was disproved by Professor Albert Steeger, who on November 8, 1954, during excavation work at the site, demonstrated that the rock had instead been transported to the Lower Rhine plain by the inland ice of the ancient Rhine (Urrhein), not from the north. The stone measures roughly 2.00 by 1.35 by 0.35 meters, a size considered remarkable for Lower Rhine conditions.

What historical traces surround the stone?

During the 1954 excavation, fragments of glass dating to the Biedermeier period—roughly the first half of the 19th century—were found beneath the boulder. This discovery suggests the stone once served as a boundary marker between the villages of Wankum and Herongen. That is not the only historical thread tied to this spot: a Roman waystation once operated nearby, active from the 1st to the 4th century AD. Pottery fragments, roof tiles, coins, and oil lamps stamped with legion markings found in the surrounding area attest to this Roman presence.

What legend is connected to the Teufelstein?

Local folklore tells of a farmer named Speith who made a wager with the Devil over who could throw farther. The Devil hurled the massive stone with great force, but the cunning farmer, instead of throwing a stone of his own, released a bird that flew far beyond where any stone could land. Through this trick, Speith won the bet, saving his soul and pocketing a purse of gold in the bargain. To this day, distinctive indentations remain visible on the stone's surface—said, according to the legend, to be the imprints of the furious Devil's fingers.

How is the site protected today?

The Teufelstein is protected as a natural monument and lies within the Heronger Buschberge nature reserve. Because of its ecological and historical significance, vehicle traffic along the adjacent stretch of Jülicher Straße is restricted, helping to preserve both the stone itself and the surrounding landscape.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Teufelstein located? The stone lies along Jülicher Straße, between the districts of Herongen and Hinsbeck in the town of Straelen, near the Blaue Lagune lake.

Is the Teufelstein an ice-age glacial erratic? Not in the traditional sense. While it was once believed to be an erratic carried by the Scandinavian ice sheet, research from 1954 showed it is brown coal sandstone transported from the Middle Rhine region by the ancient Rhine's inland ice.

Where does the stone's name come from? The name refers to a local legend about farmer Speith's wager with the Devil, whose supposed fingerprints are said to remain visible on the boulder's surface.

Are there Roman remains near the stone? Yes. Nearby excavations uncovered the remains of a Roman waystation active from the 1st to 4th centuries AD, including pottery, roof tiles, coins, and oil lamps bearing legion stamps.

Is the site legally protected? Yes, the Teufelstein holds natural monument status and sits within the Heronger Buschberge nature reserve, where vehicle traffic restrictions apply.