Yeah, the politicians stuck again. Thanks to you guys, I’ve now spent my entire week up here in Saxony-Anhalt figuring out these towns that you created on January 1, 2010. Places like the 21 village town of Salzatal, where I am now.
The villages here are much older, of course, they were established in the 10th, 11th and 12th centuries.
In the village of Schochwitz you’ll find a castle, once home to Gerneral Hermann von Alvensleben. It was also home to Lt. General Ludolf Hermann von Alvensleben. While the two share sort of the same name, General Alvensleben was a Prussian soldier in the 19th century, and the Lt. General was member of the Third Reich’s Waffen-SS.
The history of Salzatal doesn’t end here. There’s another castle (a 19th century one) over in Beesenstedt, but sadly the 13th century Schloss Beesenstedt doesn’t exist anymore. But if you’re standing at the racetrack, that’s where it used to be.
Of course if any of these villages are old enough to have a 13th century castle, they’re old enough to have medieval churches. Bennstedt is where you’ll find one from the 13th century.
The St. Stephen Church in Flenstedt is also a nice place to stop; and it’s got mansions and farmhouses to see as well.
Too bad, a fire ravaged the original medieval church in Lieskau (which borders Bennstedt), so it had to be rebuilt in the 18th century.
At least Lieskau is lucky enough to border the Dölauer Heide, so if hiking’s on your “to do” list in Salzatal, then here’s your big chance.
Scoping out a huge archaeological dig might be on some people’s list of things to do, so for that you’ll want to go to Salzmünde (first mentioned in 979). I think the part stone/part half-timber constructed Town Hall is worth the time to come here.
But, then again, so is Kloschwitz because of its two Kneipp areas and camping facilities. OK, it’s annual Blossom Festival at the end of April helps too.
The last stop in Salzatal is Zappendorf, where there’s not only a nature park but three churches, three mills, but a whole bunch of hiking trails too.
At this rate, I’ll be here in Saxony-Anhalt for two weeks — probably longer if the politicians keep creating new towns here. ;-)
