Discover Laatzen

Laatzen combines an immersive park experience with the Leine floodplain landscape and places steeped in history. In Park der Sinne, stations explore air, water, fire and earth; in the southern Leine floodplain, still waters, paths and habitats for waterbirds shape the natural landscape. There is also a Gothic chapel in Alt-Laatzen and a memorial stone in Gleidingen. Together, these offer a choice of nature, outdoor activities and local history for your stay.

Park der Sinne: explore the landscape with all your senses

The seven-hectare Park der Sinne is laid out like a basin and divided into sections with walking paths. More than 30 interactive stations bring the senses to life. As you walk around, you encounter the four elements of air, water, fire and earth—the park combines specially designed points of interest with a route through its green grounds.

A special feature is the insect eye: this walk-through sculpture has 120 glass lenses through which you can experience an insect's perspective. In the play forest, children can climb, balance and hide. These activities offer different experiences: here, the focus is on trying things out for yourself; there, on discovering an unusual point of view.

The park's role in the wider landscape project is also significant: it forms the core of the EXPO project “Regional Landscape Area at Kronsberg.” This project connects the Leine floodplain and Kronsberg via a designed green corridor. The sensory stations are therefore not standalone attractions, but part of a landscape that brings the park and its surroundings into a shared view.

Leinemasch and Mastbruchholz: water, paths and woodland

The southern Leine floodplain, also known as Leinemasch, covers around 500 hectares and includes the Leine's floodplain landscape. Its still waters are important breeding and resting sites for waterbirds. An extensive network of paths is used for cycling, walking, hiking and nature observation. This lets you choose between getting active and watching quietly, without limiting the floodplain to just one activity.

The accessible nature and discovery trail “Plants and Animals of the Southern Leine Floodplain” is a 2.5-kilometre loop around the Wiesendachhaus. It introduces visitors to the animal and plant life of the Leinemasch and has been open since December 2024. Ten information panels cover, among other things, beavers, European pond frogs, kingfishers, white storks, grey herons, dragonflies and bats. Non-native species and pollarded willows are also among the topics. The trail offers a specific addition to the longer routes through the floodplain: its loop follows a defined route, while the wider network of paths accommodates a range of activities.

The 20-hectare Mastbruchholz is a remnant forest and the only remaining woodland within the city limits of Laatzen. It is a protected landscape and wildlife refuge; quiet recreation is expressly compatible with nature conservation. Park der Sinne lies between Mastbruchholz and the Leine floodplain. This location brings together two distinct landscapes: woodland on one side and open floodplain on the other.

Historical traces in Alt-Laatzen and Gleidingen

There are also specific landmarks for exploring local history. The Gothic chapel in Alt-Laatzen was first mentioned in 1325 and is considered the southernmost example of North German Brick Gothic architecture. Its long history sets it apart from the natural sites, whose appeal lies primarily in the landscape and opportunities for observation.

A Tordenskiold memorial stone in Gleidingen commemorates a duel in 1720 between Peter Wessel Tordenskiold and the Swedish colonel Jacob Axel Staël. The duel took place near the site. Along with the chapel, the memorial stone adds two distinct historical points of interest to an exploration of the park, floodplain and woodland.

Nature or history as the focus of your stay

When choosing accommodation in Laatzen, you can base your decision on the mix of experiences you want from your stay. If nature observation is your priority, the floodplain, its paths and Mastbruchholz are the main attractions; for an immersive park experience, Park der Sinne offers its sensory stations and play forest. The chapel and memorial stone offer a different focus. These differences give your trip a clear theme without prescribing a fixed itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Ronnenberg, Lehrte, Dedenhausen, Sehnde, Barsinghausen, Evensen, Seelze, Mardorf.

For the main travel overview: Hanover Region.