Calberlah: Old Chapel and Local History

Calberlah’s historical traces range from the Old Chapel to earlier transport and economic connections. The chapel was first mentioned under Isenbüttel in 1534 and is classified as a listed building in Lower Saxony. A sandstone bearing the year 1576 is set into its oak half-timbered west gable. The first mention and the date on the gable are two distinct chronological reference points in the building’s history.

Old Chapel: Half-Timbering, Altar and Organ

The Old Chapel’s furnishings include a late Gothic wooden folding altarpiece with two wings. An organ positive dating from the 17th century adds to the historic details; it is considered one of the oldest and most valuable in Gifhorn district. Several periods and art forms thus come together in one place: the half-timbered west gable with its dated sandstone, the late Gothic altar and the older organ positive.

The Old Chapel is also described as a place to recharge: somewhere to pause and reflect. Its accessibility is important when planning your visit: the chapel is not open to the public outside of church services.

Local History and a Cycling Perspective

Calberlah once had a brickworks. A cycling tour exploring local history passed through Calberlah as part of an anniversary program in 2024. The station’s history also goes back a long way: the station was already in operation in 1904. Together, these details offer different insights into local history, from earlier production and transport to a tour organized for a specific occasion.

In the wider Gifhorn destination

Gifhorn district includes heathland, forests, moorland, rivers and lakes. The district is also home to the Drömling, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The International Wind and Watermill Museum in Gifhorn offers another cultural theme: it features 13 full-size original mills from around the world. These landscape and cultural themes belong to the wider Gifhorn destination and should be distinguished from Calberlah’s local features.

Cyclists can enjoy around 700 kilometers of recreational cycling routes in Gifhorn district, plus an additional 550 kilometers of everyday cycling routes and connecting paths. These figures refer to different types of networks. Around 400 signposted junctions can be combined to plan individual routes. The Südheide “Cycling” leaflet lists 14 signposted tours; GPX tracks and further information can be downloaded using a QR code. As the leaflet and route data may be updated, it is advisable to check the latest version before planning.

Water is another theme in the wider Gifhorn destination: the Isenbüttel collective municipality includes Tankumsee, a 62-hectare lake with a 1,000-meter-long white sandy beach. Swimming, sailing, surfing and fishing are possible there. Those interested in birdlife can instead follow the ornithological walking trail around Tankumsee, where information boards describe the birds found at the lake. Water sports and fishing thus offer different interests from a nature-themed walk.

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Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Sprakensehl, Sassenburg, Rühen, Obernholz, Bokensdorf, Gifhorn, Behren, Brome

For the overview of the wider destination: Gifhorn.