Calberlah brings together two historical perspectives: the architectural and furnishing history of the Old Chapel, and a cycling exploration that formed part of an anniversary program in 2024. The chapel links an early mention with a dated architectural feature and furnishings from later centuries. The wider Gifhorn travel destination offers additional themes related to nature, cycling, and culture.

Old Chapel: architectural history and access

The Old Chapel is classified as a listed building in Lower Saxony. It was first mentioned in 1534 in connection with Isenbüttel. A sandstone bearing the year 1576 is set into the western half-timbered gable made of oak. The furnishings include a late Gothic wooden winged altarpiece with two wings and a positive organ dating from the 17th century. This positive organ is considered one of the oldest and most valuable in Gifhorn District. The dates refer to different things: 1534 marks the first mention, 1576 is the date on the sandstone, and the positive organ belongs to a later period.

The chapel is also described as a place to stop and reflect. It is not open to the public outside of services. If visiting is important to your plans, check in advance whether a visit is possible on your chosen date.

Cycling and local history

A cycling exploration tour passed through Calberlah as part of an anniversary program in 2024. The village once had a brickworks, which was among the topics covered during the exploration. The tour brought together cycling and local history. For current route planning, the regional network of paths is a different point of reference from this example of a program tied to a specific time.

In the wider Gifhorn travel destination

Gifhorn District has around 700 kilometers of recreational cycling routes, plus around 550 kilometers of everyday cycling routes with connecting paths. Around 400 signposted junctions can be combined to plan cycling routes tailored to your needs. The Südheide “Cycling” flyer lists 14 signposted tours; GPX tracks and further information can be downloaded via a QR code. The network’s size, the junctions, and the tour flyer address different planning needs: the figures describe the networks, the junctions help you put together your own routes, and the flyer offers specific route suggestions. Check the flyer, GPX data, and route conditions for up-to-date information before setting out.

Gifhorn District encompasses heathland, forests, moorland, rivers, and lakes. The district also includes the Drömling, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The regional landscape in the Isenbüttel collective municipality also includes Tankumsee: the lake covers 62 hectares and has a 1,000-meter-long white sandy beach. Swimming, sailing, surfing, and fishing are all possible there. Thus, the wider region offers activities on the water alongside cycling and nature.

The International Windmill Museum in Gifhorn offers another cultural perspective. It features 13 full-size windmills from around the world. Together with the history of the Old Chapel, this theme reveals another facet of the wider Gifhorn travel destination.

Discover more destinations

Weyhausen, Behren, Wilsche, Gifhorn, Tappenbeck, Ribbesbüttel, Sassenburg, Leiferde

For the main travel overview: Gifhorn.