Schöningen lies on the eastern slope of the Elm and was first mentioned in 748 AD. The town is considered the oldest town in the former Duchy of Brunswick to be documented in historical records. The palace, St. Vincenz Church and the neoclassical town hall provide different architectural reference points for the town’s history; the first stage of the Elmkreis also begins at Burgplatz. If you are looking for a hotel in Schöningen, you can plan your stay around the town’s historic attractions and the start of this route.

Palace, church and town hall

The Brunswick Welf dukes built the palace in the 14th century; it later became the residence of the widows of the dukes of Brunswick. Its construction and later use mark two different chapters in its history. St. Vincenz Church and the neoclassical town hall also bear witness to Schöningen’s importance. The town’s documented mention in 748 and the palace’s construction in the 14th century mark different historical periods: the former concerns the town’s early written record, while the latter relates to its later ducal construction and use.

Local history museum and activities

The Schöningen Local History Museum looks beyond the buildings to geology, prehistory and local history, as well as economic, agricultural and industrial history. A guided tour also offers insights into everyday life in the past. A visit to the museum brings natural history, urban development and social history together. Check the availability of guided tours before your trip.

The first stage of the Elmkreis begins at Burgplatz in Schöningen. This clearly defined starting point makes it easy to include the route in your plans; check current local information about conditions. A disc golf taster course or mini-tournament is also offered in Schöningen. Check availability in advance. You can choose between a route with a clearly identified first stage and a disc golf activity in course or tournament format.

Culture in the wider destination Helmstedt

One archaeological highlight in the wider destination of Helmstedt is the Schöningen Research Museum. There, visitors can see the Schöningen spears close to where they were found. They were left behind about 300,000 years ago and discovered in 1994; excavations are still taking place at the site. The Schöningen Adventure Trail runs for 2.5 kilometres from Burgplatz to the research museum and has eight stations with large information boards.

Helmstedt’s university history includes the Juleum Novum, an assembly hall building of the former university. It was built between 1592 and 1597 as a palace-like Renaissance building. The District and University Museum in the Juleum displays, among other things, a model of the town of Helmstedt around 1750 and original objects from the university era: an astronomical disc, a globe and tableware from the university canteen. An architectural tour of Helmstedt offers an insight into 1,000 years of building history, from the Romanesque period to Historicism; check dates and booking conditions in advance.

The wider destination of Helmstedt also includes the Imperial Cathedral in Königslutter. It is one of Lower Saxony’s most impressive Romanesque buildings; together with the cloister and the Kaiser Lothar Linden Tree in the former monastery courtyard, it is a popular attraction.

Discover more destinations: Büddenstedt, Süpplingenburg, Mariental, Söllingen, Helmstedt, Jerxheim, Warberg, Velpke

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