What makes a traveler pick one place over another? What is it about the medieval town of Winsen (Aller) that would just have you counting the days until you can visit? What does this place in Lower Saxony have over everywhere else?
For starters, Winsen is considered to be quite a popular air-health resort and recreational area. It also offers some fun sporting activities to keep you busy, before or after you’ve seen all the historical sites in town.
Take a picnic lunch with you to the lake in the neighborhood of Meißendorf so you can spend the day swimming or surfing lakeside. There are campsites nearby, if you choose to “rough it” and an 18-hole miniature golf course for some great family fun. This nature protected area is the largest within the Lüneburg Heath.
If you manage to have any energy left, you better get out to see Winsen’s historical side; starting at the town’s 18th century City Hall. This lovely red building once did double duty as a restaurant and bar before being converted over to the center of life around town in 1972.
Another place that is the center of life in town is the 14th century Johannes der Täufer Church, whose original foundations date back to the 9th century.
You’ll also pass by the Junkerntor, once the ornate entrance gates to an old manor house. Look out for the Princes’ Stones, or Prinzensteine, a memorial to the legend of two princes who mortally wounded each other in battle, not realizing they were brothers.
Don’t forget to see the Bockwindmühle, built in 1732 and used for 200 years until it was shut down in 1929.
But, you really need to save the best for last with a visit to Dat Groode Hus, a beautiful farmhouse from 1795 which offers a look into 18th century farm life. It’s the cultural center of life here in Winsen and hosts many classical musical concerts throughout the year.
Winsen (Aller) is special, as it has found a great blend of recreation and history. It’s all this that will make you want to come here over anywhere else.
