Lower Saxony has got to be the best place to see by bicycle. And if you’ve ever been to Spinoloha, which is what Spelle was called back in the 9th century when the town was created, you know what I’m talking about.
Why else would the place in the Emsland region have over 200km of cycling paths? I can’t think of any other reason, either. Just one thing… you’ll have to leave your bike at the bottom of Spelle’s observation tower.
I guess you could say the same thing about bicycling in northern North Rhine-Westphalia since Spelle’s village of Venhaus is on the border of the federal state — but that’s another story on a different web page.
Forget about North Rhine-Westphalia, Venhaus is what we’re here to see. I should say more specifically the Castle Park is what you’re here to see; and the church of St. Vitus, too.
Burg Venhaus was pretty formidable when it was built in the early 17th century. With a bit of imagination you can see the knights crossing the moat in a full gallop on their horses.
Not too far from the Castle Park on Hookstraße are quite a few old buildings from just about a hundred years ago. I know it isn’t that old since Spelle’s been around for more than a thousand, but it’s still a nice piece of its history.
And as with any decent German town, Spelle has its sports clubs. There’s everything from football (a.k.a. soccer), tennis, and volleyball. There’s even a chess club for those who wish to give their brain cells a proper workout.
I prefer to give my blood-alcohol levels a workout instead. Just kidding, there’s no booze left at the Old Brewery & Rectory. Sounds funny… a rectory and brewery, right? Either way, this charming building is a look at 18th century architecture.
Lastly, I’ll be looking at the bottom of a 21st century beer. ;-)
