The Hundertwasser railway station in Uelzen brings together art, ecology and modernity. It was created as a project for Expo 2000 in Hanover and is among the last works of Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. From the station forecourt, the “Path of Stones” leads into Uelzen city centre; the art trail includes 21 artistically painted rock sculptures. This striking building is where your discovery of Uelzen begins, and it continues out into the city.
Discover architecture and history
The Gothic St. Mary’s Church also shapes Uelzen’s townscape. Its tower is 86 metres high. The church was consecrated and elevated to parish church status in 1292. The “Nige Hus” of the Ratsweinhandlung offers another glimpse into the city’s history: built around 1500 as an extension of the Old Town Hall, it served as the council’s wine and beer cellar. The Ratsweinhandlung remains a destination for lovers of fine wines to this day—a historic connection that also makes it a place to visit for wine enthusiasts.
At Ebstorf Abbey, you can encounter the Ebstorf World Map, a depiction of exceptional scale. It was probably created around 1300, covers approximately 13 m² and is considered the largest known medieval map of the world. Guided tours with explanations of the map last around 90 minutes and are offered from 1 April to 31 October. The format combines a look at the historic work with an expert explanation, so allow more time for this visit than for a brief look at a single building.
Other historic sites offer different perspectives: Bodenteich Castle was founded around 1250 and is the only castle in Uelzen district, although only partially preserved. It was restored between 1983 and 1988 and today houses the tourist information office, citizens’ office and castle museum. Since its founding in 1975, a total of 30 historic buildings have been brought together at the Hösseringen open-air museum. The district thus offers different ways to explore the past side by side: a medieval world map, a castle housing public services today, and an open-air museum with a collection of historic buildings.
Heathland, river and water activities
Ellerndorf Juniper Heath lies between Eimke and Ebstorf in Uelzen district. It covers almost 60 hectares and is the largest contiguous heathland area in the eastern part of the LĂĽneburg Heath. Those interested in river landscapes can find a different scale at the Ilmenau: it forms south of Bad Bevensen, near Uelzen, where the Gerdau and Stederau rivers meet, and flows into the Elbe after 107 kilometres at Hoopte, near Winsen an der Luhe.
The Ilmenau Cycle Path follows the river from its headwaters in Uelzen district to its mouth at Hoopte and is around 120 kilometres long. The river and cycle path are therefore described by the same endpoints, but their stated lengths differ. Water-based leisure activities are also possible on the heathland rivers and the Elbe Lateral Canal. At the Uelzen lock complex near Esterholz, visitors can watch boats entering and leaving from two viewing platforms. Locks I and II are on the canal between Uelzen and Wittingen, near Esterholz.
At Oldenstadt Lake, the leisure activities described include walking, jogging and swimming in summer. The Uelzen wildlife enclosure in the town forest combines native animal species, the Uelzen eagle owl and a viewing platform with walking trails and running routes. In Bad Bevensen, the Jod-Sole-Therme offers thermal iodine brine water at 32°C across a water area of more than 1,000 m². The options range from trails and wildlife watching to a summer swim or a visit to the thermal baths.
Guided tours and practical information
Tours around Uelzen explore botanical, geological and historical features as well as archaeological sites, with expert explanations. At the Handwerksmuseum-Suhlendorf, a demonstration of the milling process can be arranged at “Auguste,” a post mill more than 200 years old; this requires prior arrangement. These offers differ in format: an approximate duration is given for the abbey tour, while the mill demonstration must be arranged in advance.
Uelzen district is easy to reach by rail, including the Hamburg–Hanover main line, via the Elbe Lateral Canal and by federal highways. When choosing your destinations, you can follow your interests: Uelzen’s railway station, art trail and churches offer cultural highlights, while the heathland, river and water activities introduce other themes. The Ratsweinhandlung adds a destination for lovers of fine wines to these discoveries.
Discover more destinations: Bad Bodenteich, Uelzen, Suhlendorf, Suderburg, Bad Bevensen, Hanstedt, Altenmedingen, Eimke, Bienenbüttel, Emmendorf, Wriedel, Himbergen, Rätzlingen, Barum, Rosche, Schwienau, Gerdau, Lüder.
See the full travel overview: Lower Saxony.
