Vordorf is dated to 1022, and Rethen to 1301. Eickhorst was first mentioned in 1007 under the name “Hechorst.” Vordorf, Rethen, and Eickhorst are considered three of the oldest settlements in the district of Gifhorn. The years refer to different points of reference: for Eickhorst, the date marks its first mention under a name; for Vordorf and Rethen, it marks the dating of the settlements. For travelers interested in regional history, this provides a clear starting point in time.
Prehistory in Rethen
A Neolithic burial site dating back approximately 5,000 years was found near Rethen. The megalithic tomb in Rethen dates from the Middle Neolithic and is a historically significant individual monument. Its remains have been made accessible to visitors, and the monument was opened to the public. Later developments also include an information column, unveiled in July 2000, and the site’s opening to visitors. The monument’s prehistoric origins and its later development as a heritage site thus come together.
St. Nicolai Rethen: Building History and Interior
The present nave of St. Nicolai Rethen was built in 1901 to a design by Eduard Wendebourg. The tower, by contrast, may date from the 13th or 14th century. The construction date of the nave is specified precisely, while the dating of the tower remains tentative. From the previous church, the pulpit with the coat of arms of the Lords of Rethen and part of the gallery parapet have been preserved; the parapet bears names and a year. A stained-glass window in the choir depicts Christ as Judge of the World. The building’s history, its inherited features, and its imagery offer different ways to explore the church’s past.
Events and Eickenhof Products
Rethener Dorfleben adds individual events to the cultural program in Rethen. If a date matters to your trip, check the event schedule in advance. Eickenhof offers a different focus: its products include asparagus, geese, strawberries, raspberries, tulip bulbs, and cut tulips. The selection may vary by season; check the current range if specific products are important to you. Since 2007, six farming families from Papenteich have organized the cultivation and marketing of Eickenhof products. Alongside local history and church art, the area’s offerings also include events and agricultural products.
Gifhorn as the Wider Regional Setting
The wider travel destination of Gifhorn includes heathland, forests, moorland, rivers, and lakes. The district is also home to the Drömling, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Numerous themed trails and nature trails shape the hiking opportunities in the district of Gifhorn. The cycling network includes around 700 kilometers of recreational cycling routes, plus around 550 kilometers of everyday routes and connecting paths. Thus, at the district level, landscapes and cycling complement the local history and cultural attractions of Vordorf, Rethen, and Eickhorst.
Discover more destinations: Bokensdorf, Didderse, Obernholz, Wilsche, Ribbesbüttel, Tiddische, Meine, Vollbüttel
View the main travel overview: Gifhorn.
