Ruhland:Europas heilige Berge

Discover the myths, legends, and stories surrounding Europe's legendary mountains. They have always been something special – sacred mountains! Enveloped in myths and fantasies, both threatening and blessing, they have captivated people for centuries. What lies behind their fascination? This question is explored by Bernd Ritschel and Nina Ruhland in this nature photo book. Through portraits of both large and small mountains, famous peaks like Watzmann and Eiger, as well as lesser-known destinations like Tomorr, they narrate in images and text about power places and the people who respect nature. It becomes evident that viewing the world from above opens one's perspective in every way.

22 mountains that exude a unique aura. Mountain photographer Bernd Ritschel, along with mountain author Nina Ruhland, has visited and climbed 22 sacred mountains across Europe – always in pursuit of what exactly makes a mountain sacred. Sometimes it is simply the sheer height or the mountain's unique shape. Often, volcanic activity is a reason for its sanctity, as seen with Mount Etna in Sicily, which is considered the forge of Hephaestus, the god of fire. Mount Olympus in Greece, on the other hand, is regarded in Greek mythology as the seat of the gods and continues to fascinate with its myths and legends. Each presented peak has its own centuries-old traditions, deeply rooted in the culture of the local inhabitants.

In addition to the personal accounts of the author team, each mountain also includes geographical, cultural, and historical information. The atmospheric photographs and authentic texts capture the mystical ambiance of the sacred mountains, inviting readers to immerse themselves and set out on a journey. The book features the following sacred mountains: Mount Brandon – Ireland; Paps of Jura – Scotland; Dovrefjell – Norway; Watzmann – Germany; Säuling – Germany; Similaun – Austria; Gamskogel – Austria; Eiger – Switzerland; Pilatus.