Lower Saxony is one of those places that will never cease to amaze me. Only here will you find a place like Hitzacker (Elbe), located along the fabulous German Framework Road, or Deutsche Fachwerkstraße. Plus, it’s a great place to come for cultural events, pretty countryside, and even a history lesson. So, I’d say life here in Hitzacker, which is part of the Samtgemeinde Elbtalaue, is pretty gosh-darn fantastic.
A fun way to experience Hitzacker is on one of its guided evening tours. Between May and September at 6pm you can take a 1-hour tour highlighting the best of what’s to offer.
Ok, so that’s the abridged version of the place. What if you want to go at a more leisurely pace? In that case, it’s a good thing I’m here to help with that. Where to start though?
Ah, how about its Archaeological Center, an outdoor museum with some 4,000 years of history that’ll bring you back to the Bronze Age. The museum’s open daily from April to October, just so you know.
Another museum here in Hitzacker is the Old Customs house, a building that’s historical itself as it dates back to 1589. Its function is now different, since it’s the Local History Museum (Heimatmuseum).
Other historical places to see would be the St. Johannis Church, a 12th century medieval church. And there’s the exceptionally old tumuli and megalithic tombs in the village of Pussade. Also there are the Hünenbetten von Wietzetze, two graves that are some 4-to-5,000 years old.
Lover of history that I am, it’s delightful to know there’s more to experience in Hitzacker. Come make your own fun at one of the many festivals, like the Japanese Lantern Festival in July, the May Day celebrations on May 1st, the October Wine Festival, the Volkslauf (a marathon) in November, and the Christmas Market. Ooh, there’s also the Summer Music Festival, running from the last weekend of July and the first week of August, too.
It’s also really nice to know there are all kinds of outdoorsy things to do, too. Just north of the Archaeological Museum is the Hitzacker See, and the village of Bahrendorf is in the Biosphere Reserve of the Lower Saxon Elbe Valley area. Add in the cycling trails, hiking paths, fishing, golfing, Kneipp areas, and swimming — you’ll have enough stuff to keep you busy for a month.
Maybe even longer than that. No wonder places like Hitzacker (Elbe) will never cease to amaze. ;-)
