Ziegenberg (Saxony-Anhalt)

The Ziegenberg is a low ridge between the villages of Benzingerode and Heimburg on the northern edge of the Harz Mountains in central Germany.

The reserve has an area of 88.4 hectares and has a variety of habitats including mesophytic grassland (Halbtrockenrasen), bushes, pine woods and wet meadows.

Within the nature reserve are the northernmost communities of Lotharingian or French Flax (Linum leonii).

Amongst the other plants that occur here are the Burnet Saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga), Large Self-heal (Prunella grandiflora), Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis ciliata), Sickle hare's ear (Bupleurum falcatum) and Stemless carline thistle (Carlina acaulis).

Just before the hill drops away towards Benzingerode, the remains of fortifications belonging to a 10th-century fortress, the Struveburg are visible in the terrain.

Sunrise over the Ziegenberg hill itself, seen from the Struvenberg
Crest of the Ziegenberge ridge, looking NW along the Struvenberg
Southern slopes of the Struvenberg