I have respect for any town that when something devastating happens somehow comes back better and stronger. Adendorf in Lower Saxony, southeast of Hamburg, has my undying respect; since after being totally leveled and sacked by war in 1374 and the Thirty Years’ War (which started in 1618 and didn’t end until 1648), it totally reinvented itself.
Sadly, many of its oldest buildings (which would be those lovely framework houses that everyone loves) were destroyed by fire not only in 1374; but, in 1627, and 1895. Thankfully, the oldest building in town still stands. It’s the St. Johannes der Täufer Church, built all the way back in 1258.
What else in Adendorf that might interest you is the Heimatmuseum or Local History Museum (thankfully this 1661 building survived the last fire) that houses many prehistoric and early history finds. It also has exhibits on many plants and living a rural life (a foreign concept to many of us city dwellers).
The rest of Adendorf is fantastic to explore outside. If you like playing the links, try either the 18-hole or 9-hole golf course. From May to August, Adendorf’s outdoor swimming pool is open and where many local residents and visitors come for a day of swimming and sun. Summer is also when everyone parties at the Summer Village Celebration.
You might want to save all the cycling (which in my opinion is the BEST way to see Lower Saxony) and walking trails along some of Adendorf’s nature protected areas (camping is allowed) for a day or two when you’re not worn out from swimming.
Maybe some shopping at Adendorf’s Weekly Market on Friday afternoons (2pm-6pm) at the Town Hall Square might interest you? Or you might like to wait for the Nikolausmarkt on the 1st weekend of Advent (about a month before Christmas), it’s always great to find small trinkets that make the best stocking stuffers.
That’s also when the weather starts to get colder and everyone can go ice skating.
Yeah, this is why I totally love and respect Adendorf — out of its ashes came one great town!
