The „umbrella“ is a resting place in the Burgesroth-Bruchholz nature reserve between Ballenstedt and the Selke valley near Mägdesprung.
The 620 hectare nature reserve connects two forest areas via the Amtmann Valley, which begins in Ballenstedt Castle Park. It protects a predominantly wooded area with various biotope types. Primarily, there are near-natural deciduous forest communities and former middle forests with a high proportion of old and dead wood, including bedstraw oak-hornbeam forest, hornbeam forest and alder forest communities. Spring areas and near-natural stream valleys can be found in the forest areas.
It is no coincidence that many paths meet in a star shape at the umbrella, but in 1728 Prince Victor Friedrich had a hunting track laid out between Ballenstedt and „Bremer Teich“ HWN 196 for the then popular par force hunt. At selected points, there were hunting lodges or covered hunting seats, which were called „umbrellas“.
From Ballenstedt Castle Park, a beautiful path leads across the Amtmann Valley, past the Röhrteich pond and across wet meadows strung together like a string of pearls to the „Armer Heinrich“ atonement cross. After the atonement cross, the signposted path branches off to the right to the stamping station.
Folklore tells the following legend about „Poor Henry“: During his lifetime, he is said to have been a beggar, usually traveling between the markets in Ballenstedt and Harzgerode. One day he was found dead in this place. To his great surprise, many pieces of gold were sewn into the lining of his jacket. This made it possible to erect a stone cross for „Poor Henry“, who was buried on the spot.
