It’s a wonder to look at old maps, to see how borders and names of towns change. And had you looked at a map of Germany before the 1950s, no matter how much you looked and looked — you’d never find the town of Trappenkamp.
You see, the town didn’t exist prior to 1956, created when an influx of refugees from the Sudetenland found their way here.
Don’t let its relatively young age fool you, Trappenkamp (all 3.32 square kilometers of it) has managed to age gracefully into the 21st century, even while embracing its past. The Bunker Museum sees to that — where you can find newspapers, photos, furniture, and clothing of folks brave enough to start a whole new life up here in North Germany.
And as of 2008, Trappenkamp has been part of Amt Bornhöved, so its increased size has only enhanced the joys of the place. So you’ll be glad to know Trappenkamp lies along such grand routes like the Mönchsweg, a 530km long cycling route from Bremen to Fehmarn about the region’s Church History.
Plus, while you’re out and about through the pretty landscape, look out for some more Bronze Age grave hills, sit for a spell around the Bornhöveder See, or just enjoy the scenery along what’s known as the Holsteiner Quellenland and Holstein Switzerland.
With greenery like this you’d never guess you’re sitting around the Hamburg Metropolitan Region, would you?
If you gonna sit anywhere, make it the Waldschwimmbad (located at Waldstraße 2), a fine outdoor swimming area that’s got fun sports to do — like beach volleyball, has a soccer field, and a giant chess set.
I enjoy chess as much as the next guy, but generally not when there’s a festival going on. The Kirchweihfest in June is one such event, as is the Summer Festival every July, and certainly not during September’s Wine Festival.
Trappenkamp might be minuscule in terms of size, and young in age, but it most certainly packs a wallop — even if you won’t find it on an old map.
