Gnarrenburg has a history that dates back to the stone Age. You’ll be amazed at how that small town stuck with a barren bog evolved to be this beauty fascinating visitors from all over.
History and culture are very much in evidence as you stroll along these streets and markets. With just enough glitz for a cosmetic glamor the town still clings to its momentous past.
Gnarrenburg’s vibrant history is marked by a dabbling in various industries from agriculture to glass and potatoes. To get a good idea of this you need to visit the various museums dedicated to show off just this. The Glass Museum Marienhütte and the Potato Museum in Brillit would do nicely.
Having grown around the Teufelsmoor (Devil’s Bog), the town has a soft spot for that geographical location and this you can see for yourself at the Bog Trail that takes you through the lifestyle in a moor village. Pick your way through the various signs posted along the way and you’ll come back as a changed person. ;-)
The historical Moorhof lets you live the life, work the sheep pen and the piggery, cut peat using historical implements and in short, live life the hard way before push buttons were invented.
Gnarrenburg’s St. Paul’s Church towers over the city skyline with its tall spire and tops of the list of historic architecture in the town. This is closely followed by the Old Post Office which now does duty as the Glass Museum.
The Oste-Hamme-Kanal is another worthwhile attraction you can’t possibly miss, for it’s a long canal that runs for about 16 km through the center of the town. It’s importance is on account of its historic use as a drainage for the moor and for transporting peat way back in the 18th century.
Gnarrenburg’s cultural events reflect their past. Around Mother’s day in May they have the Peat Cutters and Baking day, probably because it was mothers who did all of that in the good old days. Plus, along the canal they hold a flower festival in spring which just brightens up the place wonderfully.
