Uelzen: Art, History and Nature
Accommodation in Uelzen
Uelzen brings together striking architecture, traces of the town’s history and green destinations for excursions. The Hundertwasser railway station and the Path of Stones draw attention to public art, while churches, the city relief and historic houses tell stories of times gone by. The town forest, mill and Ratsteich pond add their own distinctive touches. This gives you the choice of culture, activity and nature for your trip.
Art from the railway station to the town centre
Uelzen’s Hundertwasser railway station was redesigned according to plans by Friedensreich Hundertwasser as an off-site project for EXPO 2000. Art, ecology and modernity shape its design. From the station, the Path of Stones leads into the town centre: 21 brightly painted rock sculptures mark the route. The granite blocks are 50 to 100 metres apart; each weighs two to eight tonnes and is up to three metres high.
The town’s history is also visible in other places. On Herzogenplatz, the Uelzen city relief stands on a granite plinth. It is one metre wide and 1.30 metres long, depicts the town in 1646 and includes explanations in Braille. At Schnellenmarkt, a work of art created by Georg Münchbach in 1980 recalls earthenware drinking vessels known as “Schnellen”. Pottery markets were held in the square from the Middle Ages until the 20th century.
Churches, houses and traces of history
The Gothic hall church of St. Mary was built over a period of around 100 years, up to 1400. Its 86-metre-high tower can be seen from every direction when approaching the town. Guided tower climbs are possible during the summer months; check the dates in advance. If you prefer to explore the town’s history at your own pace, you can start a walk through the historic town centre at the town and tourist information office in the town hall or at the town model.
The ornate gable of the Gildehaus dates from the 15th century; glazed tiles and foliage define its appearance. The Gertrudenkapelle stands in front of the former Gudestor town gate. It was built in the early 16th century and served as both a place of worship and a hostel for travellers. Together with Schnellenmarkt and the city relief, these places offer different insights into Uelzen’s history.
Town forest, water and activity
Wildgatter Uelzen is a small zoo in the town forest. Visitors can see native animal species and the Uelzen eagle owl; a visitor observation tower is an additional feature. On the eastern edge of the Hanseatic town, Woltersburger MĂĽhle lies between deciduous woodland and water. The adjacent forest and surrounding area are ideal for hiking and cycling. This offers a choice between wildlife experiences and routes through green landscapes during your stay.
Meadows, parkland and dining come together at Ratsteich pond, which is also home to numerous water birds. Canoes and kayaks are used on the pond. Uelzen’s sports marina has a restaurant, sanitary facilities, equipment for boat operations and a yacht club. A horse-drawn carriage ride gives families or groups of up to 25 people the chance to discover Uelzen, the town forest or the wildlife park from a relaxed and different perspective. Check the booking details before your trip.
Regional products and finding the right place to stay
The Vitalmarkt in the town centre offers meat, fish, cheese, baked goods, plants, fruit and vegetables from regional producers. When planning your trip, consider what you would like your days to focus on: the historic town centre and architecture, walks in the countryside, wildlife watching or time by the water.
Discover more destinations: Emmendorf, Himbergen, Altenmedingen, LĂĽder, Eimke, BienenbĂĽttel, Wriedel, Schwienau.
For the main travel overview: Uelzen.
