Whether you call it Harsefeld, Harsfeld, or Horse Field (English translation), you’re talking about the town in northern Lower Saxony, just west of the big city chick Hamburg. This hamlet of only about 12,000 residents lies on an area of land known as a Geest.
Even if you’re not an outdoorsy nature loving type, the Geest is an area of North Germany that could very well turn you into one. It’s pretty to say the least and quite historic at best.
Find a few walking or cycling trails in an area that was formed from receding ice after the last ice age and you’ll know what I’m talking about. It’s here that you can follow along paths traveled by Napoleon, by pious pilgrims, and by Stone & Bronze Age men. There are even ancient Stone Age grave hills along the way.
And, what kid doesn’t like climbing rocks? Which is exactly what they’ll be able to do at the Garden of Stones. Just don’t tell them that they’ll get a geology lesson while they’re doing it. ;-)
Well, everyone will enjoy a ride on an old 1930’s tramcar, which follows along the Harsefeld Museum Course.
Visitors also come to see the early 12th century monastery. Oh, c’mon! Did you really think you would come to a place this old and not see something from the Middle Ages? I didn’t think so…
You’ll be able to stroll along the foundations of the old monastery. Just as well visit the the church of St. Marien & St. Bartholomäi. Both the monastery and church had to be rebuilt in the mid-1600’s. If you appreciate the art of stained glass then there’s no place better than the church of St. Primus.
Not everyone will be able to visit during the warmer months, so don’t let winter slow you down. That’s when just about everyone in town heads over to the ice skating rink to try their hand at ice stick shooting.
I guess Harsefeld has the whole family covered for all season.
Agreed? :-)
