Bredelem: Church, Stone Cist and Circular Tour

Bredelem can be explored through several very different themes: the history of St. Matthew’s Church, the Bredelem stone cist as evidence of earlier settlement, and a circular tour that passes through the village. Appelhorn and the present-day “Truppenübungsplatz” nature reserve also lie north of Bredelem. These points of interest range from church and local history to tour planning and protected landscapes.

Church and organ: two layers of history

St. Matthew’s Church is a historic 19th-century church, built by 1847. Remains of its predecessor church, which was destroyed in the 1830 fire, have been preserved in the building. In the history of the village, construction completed by 1847 thus followed the destruction of the earlier building. For travelers interested in culture, this connection makes the building’s history more tangible than a single date.

The organ adds a musical theme to the history of the church building. Philipp Furtwängler created it in 1847–1848; it has 17 stops. Between 1998 and 2003, it was restored to its original sound. Its creation and restoration mark clearly dated periods in its history. Those interested in the church will find here a more precisely defined chapter about the organ alongside the building itself.

The Bredelem stone cist and earlier settlement

The Bredelem stone cist is a gallery grave discovered near Bredelem in 1959. At about 17 meters long, the scale of the burial site is easy to picture. It suggests that the village area was settled much earlier. The stone cist therefore offers a different historical focus from the church: while the church is associated with the history of its building and organ, the grave points to an earlier trace of settlement. Both themes offer different ways of exploring Bredelem’s history.

Landscape and routes

Appelhorn and the present-day “Truppenübungsplatz” nature reserve lie north of Bredelem. The protected area originated from a former field airfield used during the Second World War. Its present importance as a nature reserve and its origins in the former use as a field airfield are two different chapters in its history. If you are considering visiting the nature reserve, please check the current access rules in advance.

The Langelsheim–Goslar–Langelsheim circular tour offers another perspective. It is about 25 kilometers long and runs from Langelsheim via Bredelem and Jerstedt to Goslar. The approximate distance refers to the entire circular route; Bredelem lies along the way. This can help you decide whether to include the tour in your stay or focus mainly on the village’s historical themes. If you plan to take the circular tour, check the current route information and conditions before setting out.

The Innerste Cycle Path is also associated with a rest stop near Bredelem. If you would like to include this rest stop in a tour, please check the latest information beforehand.

What to consider when looking for a holiday apartment

When looking for a holiday apartment in Bredelem, you can first decide which themes you would like to shape your stay: church and settlement history, the landscape to the north, or a circular tour.

Discover more destinations: Wolfshagen Im Harz, Lautenthal.

Go to the main travel overview: Langelsheim.