The mayor of the German town of Weiskirchen wants to raise a mountain in his municipality so that it will once again be the highest peak in the region. According to the mayor, the fact that another peak turned out to be just higher is at the expense of tourism.
The Schimmelkopf was considered the highest mountain in Saarland for a time. That changed in 2005, when accurate measurements were taken. It turned out to be 694.8 meters high, while the Dollberg in Nohfelden is 695.4 meters high.
The difference of 60 centimeters is quite bridgeable, says mayor Stephan Barth. Soil from the construction of a wind farm can be used to create an artificial hill. The new, higher peak should be called The Roof of Saarland and attract more tourists.
Although the newspaper Saarbrücker Zeitung is already talking about a “peak war”, Nohfelden does not seem to be starting a peak race. Having the highest mountain does not yield anything to the municipality, says a spokesperson.
One of the best-known examples of a struggle for the highest peak is being fought over Mont Blanc. In the past, both France and Italy have claimed it. According to the Teylers Museum, the peak is actually in Haarlem. In 1787, the highest ice-free piece of stone from the mountain was cut for research. It is now in a display case at the museum.