Galgenberg (Elbingerode)

The Galgenberg near Elbingerode (Harz) is a hill in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Its name, literally "gallows mountain," indicates its historical use as a site of public executions. The Galgenberg is situated in the Harz mountains, close to the town of Elbingerode. Historical records suggest that executions took place there for a considerable period, although precise dates and details of specific cases are often lacking or difficult to verify. The presence of a Galgenberg near a settlement was a common feature throughout medieval and early modern Europe, reflecting the judicial practices of the time. Today, the Galgenberg typically lacks any visible remains of the gallows or other execution structures. The site is often a historical landmark and may be a point of interest for local historians and tourists interested in the area's past.