Discover Rieder: Village Church and Village Centre by the Horse Pond

Rieder reveals its distinctive character in the village centre: the town hall, the Church of Beatae Mariae Virgines and the adjoining large farmsteads are arranged radially around a village-green-style square with the Horse Pond. Together, they form a heritage conservation area and the heart of the village. The historic centre is therefore defined not only by individual buildings, but also by the way they come together around the square. Visitors interested in historic village layouts and traditional architectural styles will find a clear focal point for their stay here.

Village Church, Horse Pond and Local History Room

The Church of Beatae Mariae Virgines stands right beside the village pond. Its beehive-shaped church bell is over 1,000 years old and still works today; it is considered the second-oldest bell in Saxony-Anhalt. Here, great age and continued use come together in a tangible detail. The church can be visited by prior telephone appointment at 039485/238. If you are planning a visit, please confirm the details in advance.

Another local landmark is the local history room in the town hall, which is run by the village. The town hall and church are therefore not just two separate addresses, but also integral parts of the village centre described here. The large farmsteads complete the architectural picture: their arrangement around the village-green-style square makes Rieder’s centre tangible as an ensemble. The Horse Pond is part of this grouping of spaces and gives the square its distinctive name.

A Different Historic Highlight in Ballenstedt

Ballenstedt Castle offers a different scale in Ballenstedt: the Baroque three-wing complex dates largely from the first half of the 18th century and incorporates parts of the former monastery complex from the 11th and 12th centuries. Buildings from different periods thus stand side by side. The former monastery church contains the burial place of Margrave Albert the Bear (c. 1100–1170) and his wife Sophie. For a culturally focused trip, this makes a clear contrast with Rieder’s village heritage conservation area.

The palace theatre also tells the story of the town: this early Neoclassical building was constructed as a court theatre in 1788. Today, the theatre hosts guest performances and a range of events; please check specific performance dates before your visit. Ballenstedt Castle is also home to a world-famous stone statue of Uta of Ballenstedt, created by the Naumburg Master.

The castle’s collections and exhibitions offer further points of interest. The Film Museum in the north wing has a collection covering cinema and film history, with exhibits from more than 100 years of film history, as well as a cinema auditorium with 53 original cinema seats. Also in the north wing, the permanent exhibition “The Anhalt Harz Forest Through the Ages” explores the history of forestry and hunting in the Anhalt Harz Forest. In the south wing, the exhibition “Courtly Living” presents the living conditions and lifestyle of the Ascanian family shortly before and after 1900 across seven rooms.

Park and Circular Hiking Trail in Ballenstedt

Visitors wishing to include garden art and landscape as well as historic buildings can explore the castle park in Ballenstedt. This 29-hectare landscape park on the western edge of town is a work of garden art from the 18th and 19th centuries and part of the “Garden Dreams – Historic Parks in Saxony-Anhalt” network. Its valuable old trees offer visitors peace and relaxation. Ballenstedt is also located in the UNESCO Global Geopark Harz – Braunschweiger Land – Ostfalen.

The RW1 circular hiking trail offers a different perspective, running around Ballenstedt in 14 stages. Information boards accompany the route at 14 notable points in and around the town. At the “Ballenstedt View” lookout point, the route crosses an old industrial spoil heap and offers a view of the townscape. The park and hiking trail represent different ways to experience Ballenstedt: a relaxing stay among old trees or a circular walk with information points and viewpoints. Together with Rieder’s historic focus, they offer a range of themes for planning a trip without conflating the local attractions.

Discover more destinations: Gernrode, Bad Suderode.

See the wider travel overview: Quedlinburg.