Tannenhausen: Megalithic Tomb, Lake and Cycling Routes

Tannenhausen offers several ways to shape your stay: a megalithic tomb from the Funnel Beaker culture, activities at the lake and cycling routes through the area. The history of the prisoner-of-war camp is also part of the local memory. Archaeological traces and experiences by the water sit alongside opportunities to explore the surrounding area actively.

The megalithic tomb and its history

The megalithic tomb on Am Hünengrab street is about 5,000 years old and is attributed to the Funnel Beaker culture. This early farming culture began around 4000 BC. In local lore, the tomb’s three original boulders have two names: “Butter, Bread and Cheese” and, in Low German, “Botter, Brood und Kääs.”

In 2014, the city of Aurich reconstructed the megalithic tomb, installed information panels and opened it to the public. In the front section, visitors can see a reconstruction of the eastern of the two burial chambers. Those interested in the site can therefore see both an architectural reconstruction and on-site information that provides historical context.

At the Aurich-Tannenhausen war cemetery, a bilingual information panel describes the prisoner-of-war camp in Tannenhausen, the situation of Soviet prisoners of war and the historical background. This site offers a different focus from the megalithic tomb: here, remembrance of the wartime period takes centre stage.

Lake, beach and water activities

Tannenhausen Lake has a white bathing beach that slopes gently into the water. The dog bathing area at the lake also has a gently sloping sandy beach; it is fully fenced and accessible via its own entrance. The descriptions of the two beaches help visitors choose a bathing area without implying that they offer the same facilities.

The leisure and recreation area at the lake includes swimming, a wakeboarding facility with an aqua park, pedal boat and SUP hire, beach volleyball, a playground, beach chairs and a circular walking trail. The floating aqua park features diving towers up to 3.50 metres high, climbing towers, slides and a water trampoline. The NORTH BOUND Aurich Beach & Wake facility in Tannenhausen is about 650 metres long.

The options at the lake range from relaxing on the beach to activities focused on moving on or in the water. The circular walking trail adds the opportunity to explore the leisure area on foot. Numerous riding trails also lead into the East Frisian countryside from the “Kleine Mücke” riding stable, located right by the lake.

Cycling routes through Tannenhausen

The 42-kilometre northern route of the Aurich Circular Tour passes through Tannenhausen, a district of Aurich. The 32-kilometre “Ewiges Meer Route” cycling loop also runs through Tannenhausen. The different route lengths offer a clear point of comparison when choosing a route.

Information points along the “Ewiges Meer Route” share insights into rare plant and animal species and the lives of former residents of the once-raised bog landscape. The route thus combines cycling with natural and cultural history. When choosing a route, visitors can consider this thematic focus as well as its length.

Culture in the wider destination of Aurich

Additional cultural attractions are in the wider destination of Aurich and are not features of Tannenhausen. The nearby Historical Museum of Aurich displays a selection of finds and a model of the megalithic tomb complex. The museum is located in the heart of Aurich’s old town in the former princely chancellery and presents Aurich’s history as a royal seat.

The late Gothic “Ihlow” altar, an Antwerp altarpiece, is also housed in St. Lambert’s Church in Aurich. The Guild of St. Luke carved it between 1510 and 1515. In 1529, during the Reformation, the altar and organ were brought to Aurich from Ihlow Monastery. This gives your accommodation search a clear focus.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ihlow, Upgant-Schott, Halbemond, Hage, Norden, Marienhafe, Lütetsburg, Berumbur

Back to the wider travel overview: Aurich.