Brocken

Brocken (Mons Bructerus of the Romans), popularly known as the Blocksberg, the highest summit of the Harz Mountains, is situated in Prussian Saxony, about 20 miles WSW. of Halberstadt, and has an elevation of 3740 feet above the sea. It holds an important place in the folklore of North Germany. There the pagan worship lingered long after the introduction of Christianity, and there the superstition of the 16th century annually assembled the witches on Walpurgis Night (q.v.), to hold their revels on its summit. The mountain is also interesting for the phenomenon known as the 'Spectre of the Brocken' (see MIRAGE). Two carriage-ways lead up to the hotel on the treeless, granite-strewn summit, where snow lies generally from November to June; visitors are numerous during the summer months; and in clear weather a fine view is obtained.