Bredelem can be explored through three distinct themes: St. Matthew’s Church and its organ, the Bredelem stone cist, and the landscape and routes north of the village. Their historical time frames are far apart. The church was built by 1847, the organ was made in 1847–1848, while the stone cist points to much earlier settlement in the village area. A circular tour between Langelsheim and Goslar passes through Bredelem and offers another perspective on the village as part of a longer route.
Church and organ: a building history in several stages
St. Matthew’s Church is a 19th-century building, constructed by 1847. The church also incorporates remains of its predecessor, which was destroyed in the fire of 1830. Thus, alongside the century in which the present church was built, there is a specific connection to an earlier church: the remains form part of the history of the current church building and link it to the events of 1830. Those interested in architectural history will find not just a date here, but also several interrelated stages.
The organ, built by Philipp Furtwängler, was made in 1847–1848 and has 17 stops. These details link the builder’s name with a specific feature of the instrument. Between 1998 and 2003, the organ was restored to its original sound. To understand the timeline, it is worth distinguishing between its creation and restoration: the organ’s history includes both its construction and much later work on its sound.
The stone cist: a different time horizon
The Bredelem stone cist is a gallery grave discovered near Bredelem in 1959. The grave is about 17 metres long. It indicates that the village area was settled much earlier. The year 1959 refers to the time of discovery, not to the period of that earlier settlement. This makes it possible to distinguish the specific dates associated with the church and organ from the much earlier history suggested by the stone cist. Those interested in the development of the village will find two different historical reference points in this contrast.
Landscape and routes around Bredelem
North of Bredelem are Appelhorn and the present-day “Truppenübungsplatz” nature reserve. The reserve was established on the site of the former Second World War airfield. Appelhorn is a named landmark in its own right to the north, while the reserve’s historical origins lie in the former airfield. If you are planning to visit the nature reserve, check the current access rules beforehand.
The Langelsheim–Goslar–Langelsheim circular tour is about 25 kilometres long. It runs from Langelsheim via Bredelem and Jerstedt to Goslar. The approximate distance refers to the entire circular route; its course places Bredelem within a connection to the other named places. If you are planning the tour, check the current route description and conditions, as route details can change.
A rest stop near Bredelem is part of the Innerste Cycle Route. For planning purposes, these are two distinct reference points: the circular tour is described by its approximate total distance and stated route, while the rest stop is associated with the Innerste Cycle Route. This lets you consider the village’s history, the nature reserve and the route information according to your interests.
Discover more destinations: Wolfshagen im Harz, Lautenthal.
Return to the main travel overview: Langelsheim.
