Nestled in the mysterious Black Forest of Germany, lies an extraordinary site, just a short distance away from Hirsau Monastery. Welcome to the “Sea of Rocks” (Geman: Felsenmeer), a mesmerizing area adorned with a multitude of magnificent boulders scattered across a small section of a wooded hillside.

As you explore amidst these enigmatic stones, you might find yourself compelled to seek out the most captivating forms and capture them in photographs, etching the memory of your visit.

These intricate forms ignite curiosity and leave you pondering. The abundance of symmetries raises questions: were they solely shaped by nature, or is there more to the story?

One can discover nearly flawless cubes, massive rectangular stone slabs adorned with peculiar recesses, and other shapes that appear to be of human origin.

A big perfect cube. As if the giants had forgotten to clean up their toy building blocks

A standing stone block that looks like an Ur rune, a shape often found on prehistoric menhirs

A standing stone block that looks like an Ur rune, a shape often found on prehistoric menhirs

Two gigantic rock slabs lie on the mountain slope as if arranged

A strange rectangular recess on one of the large stone slabs. Like a connecting groove

Strangely shaped stone

Someone has erected a small stone tower. Probably for spiritual motives. Other people also seem to see something special in this place

Stone ensemble, like built up and overturned. The central stone is a perfect cuboid. Not easily assessable in the photo, but each block is taller than a person

Another huge boulder on the slope

Looks like a menhir

Menhir and stone slab side by side

More stone slabs and a rounded shape on the right side

Artificially worked boulder

Also this stone looks worked

A lonely giant stone on the side of the forest path. Wonder how long it has been lying there?

Suddenly, amidst the rugged terrain, emerges a colossal menhir, towering approximately 5 meters high on a steep incline still within the area of the sea of rocks. Any previous doubts have been completely dispelled. It is evident that this block is unequivocally of non-natural origin.

The structure of the colossal standing stone gives an impression as if it was crafted from an even more monstrous boulder that was lying around there. The mystery of when and by whom this extraordinary work was created remains unsolved.

The standing stone at the lower edge of the sea of rocks area

The standing stone is huge. Better imaginable with a size comparison

The mysterious standing stone. In the background you can see a rock cube, which also has gigantic dimensions

The menhir looks like it was carved out of a large chunk of stone. At the first glance its base looks almost like cemented, but it is sandstone

The standing stone

Located below the sea of rocks, a tranquil stream elegantly meanders through a wildly romantic valley. In this location, we also find solitary, sizable and symmetrical boulders that likely descended from the slope higher above. The lush green moss that completely envelops them lends an enchanting, fairy-tale quality to the entire scenery.

The entrance to the valley is adorned with a time-worn bridge, its arch crafted from weathered stones. This picturesque sight adds the perfect finishing touch.

A rustic arch bridge made of bricked sandstone

A rustic arch bridge made of bricked sandstone

Forest floor densely covered with moss creates a unique scenery

Also here in the creek bed one finds large stone blocks, which probably come from the rock sea on the adjacent slope

The stream meanders through the narrow valley

The stream meanders through the narrow valley

A fallen tree lays across the creek bed

Hirsau Monastery, or ‘Kloster Hirsau’ in German, carries a rich history dating back to the 11th century. Once considered one of the most influential Benedictine houses and the largest Monastery in the German-speaking region, it served as a spiritual center and a cradle of reform for the Benedictine order.

Nevertheless, Hirsau had already established itself as a significant Christian stronghold in the northern Black Forest during the 8th century, boasting a chapel devoted to St. Nazarius. Was the Catholic Church intentionally drawn to this location due to its close proximity to an ancient, purportedly pagan – or possibly more accurately described – megalithic site? They seem to have always had a liking for such locations in general.

A hunting lodge at the monastery, built in the 16th century

Hirsau Monastery cloister

The gate tower

Remains of a building of the monastery complex

Remains of a building of the monastery complex

An exit from the cloister

Remains of perhaps an archway

St. Mary’s Chapel

Cloister and St. Mary’s Chapel in the background

The sea of rocks is situated just a short distance from the town of Hirsau, renowned for its impressive monastery ruins.