Hunger stone - Wikipedia

Stone that is normally covered by a body of water but exposed during periods of drought

A hunger stone (German: Hungerstein) is a type of hydrological landmark common in Central Europe. Hunger stones serve as famine memorials and warnings and were erected in Germany and in ethnic German settlements throughout Europe in the 15th through 19th centuries.

These stones were embedded into a river during droughts to mark the water level as a warning to future generations that they will have to endure famine-related hardships if the water sinks to this level again. One famous example in the Elbe river in Děčín, Czech Republic, has "Wenn du mich siehst, dann weine" (lit. "If you see me, weep") carved into it as a warning.[1]

Many of these stones, featuring carvings or other artwork, were erected following the hunger crisis of 1816–1817 caused by the eruptions of the Tambora volcano.[2]

In 1918, a hunger stone on the bed of the Elbe River, near Tetschen, became exposed during a period of low water coincident to the wartime famines of World War I.[3] Similar hunger stones in the river were uncovered again during a drought in 2018.[4]

River Location Notes Picture Elbe Děčín (Tetschen)

left riverbank, near the Tyrs bridge

50°46′57″N 14°12′28″E  /  50.7825749°N 14.2078325°E  / 50.7825749; 14.2078325  ( Hungerstein Decin )

The stone measures approximately 6 m³ and is carved with different years of drought. The oldest readable carving is from 1616, with older carvings (1417 and 1473) having been wiped out by anchoring ships during the years. The stone also features the Czech sentence „Neplač holka, nenaříkej, když je sucho, pole stříkej“ (lit. "Girl, don't weep and moan, if it's dry, water the field"), probably added in 1938.[5] This hunger stone is one of the oldest hydrological landmarks in the Elbe river. Elbe Tichlowitz near Děčín Stone with the number 1666 (Roman: MDCLXVI) Elbe Tichlowitz near Děčín

50°42′20″N 14°11′50″E  /  50.705692°N 14.197161°E  / 50.705692; 14.197161  ( Hungerstein Techlovice )

Stone with multiple years: 1892, 1903, 1904, 1911, 1928, 1963, 2015 etc. Elbe Dolní Žleb, part of Děčín

50°50′57″N 14°12′58″E  /  50.849096°N 14.216029°E  / 50.849096; 14.216029  ( Hungerstein Dolni Zleb )

Approximately ten stones with the years 1842, 1868, 1892, 1904, 2015[6] Elbe Schmilka, near the border crossing[7] Elbe Prossen, beneath former train conductor's house Five years between 1928 and 2015 are carved on a skewed stone plate[7] Elbe Königstein, near the village Year 1681 Elbe Königstein, left riverbank near the Biela river

50°55′12″N 14°04′20″E  /  50.919913°N 14.072226°E  / 50.919913; 14.072226  ( Hungerstein Königstein )

Years 1952, 2003, 2015 Elbe Stadt Wehlen, district of Pötzscha

50°56′58″N 14°01′02″E  /  50.949355°N 14.017302°E  / 50.949355; 14.017302  ( Hungerstein Wehlen )

Year 1868[7] Elbe Pirna, district Oberposta, right riverbank According to the city archives, a stone with the year 1115 existed but its location is no longer known. Near Oberposta there is a stone with more than fifteen years between 1707 and 2015 carved into it Elbe Dresden-Pillnitz, near the stairs of Pillnitz Castle's western sphinx

51°00′30″N 13°52′09″E  /  51.008237°N 13.869039°E  / 51.008237; 13.869039  ( Hungerstein Pillnitz )

Years: 1778, 1893, 1904, 2003, 2018. Elbe Dresden-Laubegast

51°01′24″N 13°50′29″E  /  51.023416°N 13.841373°E  / 51.023416; 13.841373  ( Hungerstein Laubegast )

Years: 1893, 1899, 2003, 2015. Elbe Dresden-Tolkewitz, near Tolkewitzer Street 73

51°02′31″N 13°49′04″E  /  51.041975°N 13.817859°E  / 51.041975; 13.817859  ( Hungerstein Tolkewitz )

Year: 2016. Elbe Dresden-Blasewitz 2 by 2 meter stone near kilometer 48.7 with years: 1930, 1943, 1947, 1950, 1963 etc. Elbe Radebeul-Kötzschenbroda, near the steam ship port

51°06′12″N 13°37′22″E  /  51.103230°N 13.622900°E  / 51.103230; 13.622900  ( Hungerstein Radebeul-Kötzschenbroda )

Year 1811[8] Elbe Meißen Was recorded by Johann Friedrich Usinus to have been spotted in 1746 bearing the carving of the year 1654[9] Elbe Torgau, on the right side near the destroyed bridge Can be seen at a water level of 50 cm or lower Elbe Schönebeck (Elbe), near kilometer 311 on the right riverbank Measuring 1,5 by 1,5 by 2 meters and weighing 10 tons Elbe Schönebeck (Elbe), museum of the city (formerly in the port) 47 cm in size, year: 1904 Elbe Westerhüsen, part of Magdeburg

52°03′25″N 11°41′10″E  /  52.056913°N 11.686170°E  / 52.056913; 11.686170  ( Hungersteine bei Westerhüsen, Magdeburg )

see Hungerstones near Westerhülsen  [de] Elbe Magdeburg, Domfelsen

52°07′22″N 11°38′12″E  /  52.12265°N 11.63668°E  / 52.12265; 11.63668  ( Domfelsen, auch Hungerfelsen, Magdeburg )

Red sandstone formation near Domfelsen,also called Hungerfelsen (lit. "hunger cliff"); carved 2018 in August Elbe Bleckede, near the ferry port Kilometer 550. Carved with the sentence: Geht dieser Stein unter, wird das Leben wieder bunter (lit. When this stone sinks, life will become more colorful again) [10] Moselle Traben-Trarbach-Litzig, left riverside Mündesee Angermünde , north of the village Rhine Worms-Rheindürkheim, near kilometer 449.4 on the left riverbank Several stones, years ranging from 1857 to 2009 Weser Near Hajen, on the left riverbank Red sandstone that was smoothed by the river Weser Würgassen 3 m³ hunger stone with the years 1800, 1840, 1842, 1847, 1850, 1857, 1858, 1859, 1865, 1874, 1876, 1881, 1911, 1922, 1934 and 1959[11]