The Externsteine are a distinctive rock formation located in the Teutoburger Wald region of northwestern Germany, not far from the city of Detmold at Horn-Bad Meinberg. The formation consists of several tall, narrow columns of rock which rise abruptly from the surrounding wooded hills.
It is possible that the Externsteine site was a center of religious or cultic activity for the Teutonic peoples and their predecessors, prior to the arrival of Christianity in that part of Europe. The last Heathen inhabitants of the region were Saxons, and following their defeat and conversion by Charlemagne, extensive rock carvings with Christian images were carved on the Externsteine themselves. Some Neo-Pagans believe, that the Irminsul was located at the Externsteine. In contrast to the widespread assumption of an early germanic cult site, several excavations didn't made any archaeological findings earlier than 1000 A.D. - aside some paleolithic and mesolithic stone tools from about 10.000 B.C.
The site has been of interest to various German nationalist movements over the years, and continues to be a frequently-visited point of interest.
It has been suggested Externsteine site was a center of religious or cultic activity for the Teutonic peoples and their predecessors, prior to the arrival of Christianity in that part of Europe.
Some Neo-Pagans continue to believe that the Irminsul was located at the Externsteine and identify a bent tree depicted beneath the cross in a 12th century Christian carving with it.
Thus, this sacred pillar overhung the big sanctuary of the Externsteine, which stands very close to the city of Horn (the name is important because of the shape of the IRMINSUL - which has what appear to be horns).
The Externsteine stands as the beacon of the heathen world, the most holy stead, certainly, of the Northern Tradition yesterday and today, but also one of the most important religious and cultural centres of the archaic Europa.
Generally, we ignore that, close to the Externsteine (4 km far from the stead), there is another holy stead seemingly dedicated to the moon, Oesterholz (see the name of the old spring goddess, Ostara/Eostre).
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