Brochthausen offers a range of points of interest for a stay: St. George’s Church showcases Neo-Gothic architecture and local history, the “Duderstadt. Around Brochthausen” hiking route starts right in the village, and a nature reserve begins at its northern edge. This gives you a way to match your interests, whether you are more interested in architectural history, a hike with a connection to historical borders, or a protected landscape.
St. George’s Church and the history of church building
The Neo-Gothic brick church of St. George was built in 1890/1891. Its almost completely preserved original interior is noteworthy. This includes the high altar and side altar, pulpit, baptismal font, windows, organ, Stations of the Cross and pews. The church interior can therefore be described not only through its architectural style, but also through its many preserved furnishings.
St. George’s is Brochthausen’s third parish church. Its two predecessors date from the 14th and 16th centuries. A beam bearing the year 1590 has been preserved to this day. These details reveal different historical layers: the present church was built at the end of the 19th century, while the history of Brochthausen’s parish churches goes back further. Visitors interested in church architecture can therefore explore both the Neo-Gothic design and the parish’s earlier history.
Hiking route and nature reserve
The “Duderstadt. Around Brochthausen” hiking route starts right in Brochthausen. At the beginning, it follows the former inner German border. The route’s starting point thus connects a hike with the village and a historical topic. The church and the first section of the route offer different perspectives on history: one traces the development of a parish church site, while the other follows the former border.
Another distinct point of interest lies on the northern edge of the village: this is where the “Rhumeaue, Ellerniederung, Schmalau and Thiershäuser Teiche” nature reserve begins. It offers a different focus from the church and hiking route.
Additional culture in the wider destination of Duderstadt
The wider destination of Duderstadt also includes another church, St. Servatius. It was built in the Late Gothic style from around 1370 to 1520; the Creutzburg organ was completed in 1735. The south portal is generally open to visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. As opening hours may change, it is advisable to check them before visiting.
Duderstadt’s historic old town offers a further architectural focus: it is characterised by more than 600 colourful half-timbered houses from various periods. The Westerturm is a landmark of the town and, as a former town gate with a watchtower, rampart and wall, forms part of its medieval fortifications. At its visitor centre, visitors can learn more about medieval town defence and the Duderstadt Marksmen’s Association in an interactive way.
The historic town hall houses the old council wine cellar, a torture chamber and other exhibition areas. A night-watchman’s tour leads through the old town’s lantern-lit alleys and shares anecdotes, stories and information about historic sights. The town hall exhibitions therefore differ from the guided exploration of the alleys: each offers a different perspective on Duderstadt’s history.
The wider destination of Duderstadt also offers routes for getting active: an official cycling tour runs from Duderstadt through Westerode and Mingerode to the Gut Herbigshagen Nature Experience Centre. Another hike starts at the historic town hall, passes the Eichsfeld Borderland Museum and Gut Herbigshagen, and ends back in the historic streets of Duderstadt’s old town. These routes are separate offerings in the context of Duderstadt; the “Duderstadt. Around Brochthausen” hiking route, by contrast, starts right in Brochthausen.
Discover more destinations: Walkenried, Seeburg, Ebergötzen, Fuhrbach, Friedland, Staufenberg, Scheden, Gleichen.
Go to the main travel overview: Göttingen.
