Belchen

Belchen is a toponym frequently found in areas along the Rhine river in Central Europe, particularly in the regions of Alsace (France), Baden-Württemberg (Germany), and Switzerland. These "Belchen" are typically mountains or hills known for their prominent, often rounded, shape and their role as potential locations for solar observations and calendar-related activities in pre-Christian times. The etymology is thought to derive from the Celtic sun god Belenos.

The most well-known Belchen mountains include:

• The Black Forest Belchen (Schwarzwald Belchen): Located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This is often considered the "original" Belchen and is the highest of the German Belchen.

• The Swiss Belchen (Jurabelchen): Situated in the Jura mountains of Switzerland, near Egerkingen.

• The Alsatian Belchen (Ballon d'Alsace): Located in the Vosges mountains, straddling the border between Alsace and Lorraine in France. While often referred to by its French name ("Ballon d'Alsace"), its German name is Elsässer Belchen or Belchenflue.

The term "Belchen system" refers to the proposed alignment and intervisibility of these mountains, suggesting their potential use as ancient solar observatories. This theory, although debated, posits that these Belchen served as points for determining solstices and equinoxes, potentially linked to a pre-Christian calendar system. The intervisibility is not perfect, and atmospheric conditions can greatly impact visibility.

While the solar observatory theory remains speculative, the significance of these Belchen mountains in regional folklore and history is undeniable. They often feature in local legends and are popular hiking and tourist destinations.