Haven’t I said before that sometimes it isn’t the town itself, but the characters who once lived here that somehow manages to make it worth visiting? Well, when it comes to the town of Schöppenstedt, which is also a Collective Municipality, I really mean it.
The “character” in question is Till Eulenspiegel, said to have been born in the village of Kneitlingen. His Low German name was Dyl Ulenspegel — but either way, he was quite famous in medieval folklore as a trickster. Eulenspiegel’s tales were ones of exposing greed, hipocracy, and other foolishness with his simple way of looking at the world.
You can learn a lot more about him at the Till Eulenspiegel Museum, about his life and his death from the plague back in 1350. Or, you can visit the Eulenspiegel Monastery (in the hamlet of Ampleben), said to be the church where he was baptized.
Kneitlingen, by the way, offers more than tales of its famous son — it’s a village of fields, farms, and half-timbered houses. The village of Eitzum is also known for its farm, and once the town for many old mills.
If you want to see an old castle, then its off to Schliestedt. Don’t let the more modern Rococo design of the castle fool you, this grande dame is much, much older than it looks. In fact, the village of Schliestedt started off as a prehistoric settlement.
There was another old castle here, Burg Ampleben; but sadly, nothing remains of this 12th century fortress. There is something else you can see from the 12th century, the Crucifix within the Pilgrimage Church of St. Marien. The church itself wasn’t built until 1328, and was once where you could go to buy yourself an “indulgence.”
Speaking of indulgence, let’s talk about the fun we can also have in Schöppenstedt. There’s an Oktoberfest, held in October, by the way; a Laternenfest; a Summer Folk Festival; and it wouldn’t be right in northern Germany without an Easter bonfire.
Of course, if you’re still hankering for some more stuff to see — then come to the village of Winnigstedt, a town once on the West/East German border, and where you can see an old Watchtower. Berklingen has an 800 year old church; and over in Uehrde you’re free to hike all you want around the salt marshes. Oh, and in the village of Dahlum, you’ll find a Romanesque church once lorded over by the Knights Templar.
Yikes, I’ve come this far — forgetting to mention the 12th century Church of St. Stephen, famous for its head and animal decorated stone pillars — and the old prehistoric grave mounds, known as the Hügelgrab.
Yes, I’ve said the characters who lived here are what makes a place special — but thankfully there’s so much more to Schöppenstedt.
