Donnersberg
The highest point of the Donnersberg is the rock Königstuhl ("king's seat") at 687 metres above sea level.The Donnersberg was formed by volcanic activity during the Permian, in the transition period between the lower and upper Rotliegend strata.The name Donnersberg is thought to refer to Donar, the Germanic god of thunder, a theory supported by the fact that the Romans dubbed the Donnersberg Mons Jovis after their god of thunder, Jupiter.During the Celtic La Tène period, around 150 BC, an important settlement (oppidum) was built on the Donnersberg, covering some 240 hectares.In the Middle Ages, five castles surrounded the strategically placed mountain: Tannenfels, Wildenstein, Hohenfels, Falkenstein and Ruppertsecken.