In 2026, severe drought across Europe has caused water levels in major rivers to fall dramatically, exposing parts of the riverbeds that are normally hidden underwater. Along the Elbe River in Germany and the Czech Republic, this has once again revealed the ancient “Hunger Stones.”
These stones were carved centuries ago to mark periods of extremely low water levels. One of the most famous is located near Děčín, Czech Republic, and bears the chilling inscription: “If you see me, weep.”
The warning was not just symbolic. When the stone became visible, the low river level meant difficult conditions for agriculture, shortages of food and problems for river transport. Historical dates carved into the stone record previous periods of severe drought, with one of the oldest readable markings dating to 1616.
Now, in 2026, as Europe faces another severe drought, the reappearance of these ancient stones offers a striking reminder that extreme low-water events have repeatedly brought hardship to the region throughout history.
