Barbarossa by the 1871 unification of Germany. The true background of the Kyffhäuser legend might be found in a cave on that mountain, in which important human remains were found. Some 130 persons seem to have been sacrificed to a female goddess in Bronze to Iron age times. Traces of cannibalism were found. This sacrifice to the goddess in the mountain (as well as in lakes and swamps) might be connected to the veneration of goddess Freia, Hulda or Dame Holle in the region. It could also be connected to the Venusberg of Wagner's Tannhäuser, set in the same area. The cave can be seen on the hill side, but is not accessible, due to a grate protecting it. Today Today, the hills are a popular tourist site, featuring the restored medieval Reichsburg Kyffhausen complex, including a small museum and the castle well, at depth said to be "the deepest castle well in the world". The downhill Pfalz of Tilleda is an archaeological open-air museum and a stop on the scenic Romanesque Road. The range is also the site of an annual touring car hillclimbing and of the Kyffhäuser-Berglauf cross country running competition. The range is a popular destination for hikers; the Kaiser Way leads across the Kyffhäuser northwards to the Harz mountains. See also List of mountains and hills of Thuringia Sebastianism References Sven Frotscher: Der Kyffhäuser – Natur, Geschichte, Architektur, Denkmale Europas. Artern 1996, External links Kyffhäuser Monument at the official Thuringia tourism website The true background of the Kyffhäuser legend Landforms of Thuringia Hill ranges of Germany Kyffhäuserkreis Forests and woodlands of Thuringia