Quakenbrück in Lower Saxony is interesting. Beautiful, yes. Historical, yes. Oh, it does have some wonderful things to see and do. But, interesting is just as good of a word to use as any, in the area known as the Artland.
Quakenbrück is located between Osnabrück and Oldenburg and sits along the River Hase. Getting here is easy enough and the town’s Tourist Information Office, located at Lange Straße 44, is the best place to start (open daily, except Sunday). The smiling ladies here will have you on your merry way exploring town with maps, tour arrangements, and just about anything else you need to find your way.
What they might tell you is to follow the Poggenpad a.k.a. Froschpfad, or Frog’s Path. This sightseeing route, highlighted by frog’s feet, goes on for about 3 km past some of Quakenbrück’s major sites.
The frog route will take you right past a few of the town’s landmarks, including the old medieval High Gate and as many as a hundred half-timbered old houses.
You’ll also see the beautiful St. Sylvester Church, whose tall spire has overlooked the town for many a century and another landmark of Quakenbrück. Don’t leave out St. Marien’s Church, as many of these old historic churches are decorated with priceless works of art.
At a different religious site, you’ll find a memorial stone over at the town’s former synagogue which was destroyed in 1938. The town has come a long way from when Lange Straße was changed to Adolf-Hitler-Straße in the days of National Socialism.
Quakenbrück used to have a castle, but now you’ll find what is known as the Quakenbrücker Burgmannshöfe, a collection of 10 beautiful old houses. Over at Burgmannshof 4 at Marktplatz 6 is an Italian restaurant, in case you get hungry.
That’s not the only place to eat around here. Quakenbrück has just about everything you can think of to imbibe or nosh. You’ll find beer gardens, cafes, and even discos if you wish to party the night away.
Try a local specialty known as Wöbkebraut, but do yourself a favor — don’t ask what’s in it. ;-)
After you’ve eaten, you’ll have the energy to go hiking, biking, golfing, have a game of tennis, and everything else in between. Quakenbrück is near the Oldenburger Münsterland, which makes the area particularly lovely; so rent yourself a bicycle, wear some comfy shoes and make the best of it.
It’s easy to see that this town is really more than just an interesting town where there’s local goodies to be eaten, sites to see, and trails to traverse. So, when in western Lower Saxony — remember Quakenbrück, where it’ll be a pleasure to see you.
