Northeim between city history and discoveries

City history in half-timbering and stone walls

Northeim’s city wall was built between 1252 and 1305; about half of it is still well preserved. It tells the story of the medieval town fortifications and provides a visible link to the city’s history. Another special place is Sankt Spiritus: the former pilgrims’ hostel houses the city museum and is one of the most significant Gothic half-timbered buildings in Lower Saxony. Visitors interested in history and architecture can take both into account when choosing a place to stay in Northeim.

The Theater der Nacht is also set in an unusual location. Since August 2001, it has been based in a converted former fire station in Northeim. It works exclusively with puppets, masks and objects, and focuses on legends, myths and fairy tales. Its award-winning programme includes 200 performances, as well as courses, exhibitions and talks. The theatre thus complements the city’s history with its own distinctive, narrative approach to culture.

Harzhorn and paths through nature

The Roman battlefield at Harzhorn is in southern Lower Saxony, in the district of Northeim, on the B248 between Oldenrode and Ildehausen. The information building on site serves as the starting and finishing point for guided tours and events. It is accessible to visitors with disabilities; however, the route through the site is not fully accessible due to some steep forest paths. This distinction is important when planning a visit: access to the information building and the conditions on the site are not the same.

In the municipality of Northeim, the Northeimer Seenplatte is a protected habitat for wildlife and plant life. The lake circuit is open to pedestrians and cyclists. Its first section, with a total length of about 1.6 km, was completed in July 2006. Those who would prefer a longer cycling route can include the Leine-Heide Cycle Route in their travel plans: it is about 410 km long and runs from Eichsfeld via Northeim through the heathland to Hamburg.

Another landmark in Northeim is the Wieterturm. It can be climbed during the day without a key and offers views across the Leine Valley; on a clear day, the view sometimes reaches as far as the Brocken in the Harz Mountains. For a trip that takes in a variety of landscapes and cultural themes, these destinations can be combined with city, museum or forest tours offered by Northeim Touristik.

Further discoveries in the surrounding region

In the wider region, the PS.SPEICHER in Einbeck is a classic car and experience museum dedicated to more than 200 years of mobility history. Visitors can see colourful street art along the Einbeck Beer Trail; tastings of Einbeck beer are also offered in the town. For a different cultural and historical focus, the “Strong Women – Fine Stitches” exhibition at the Portal zur Geschichte in Brunshausen Monastery displays textiles from the early Middle Ages to the Baroque period, as well as the lives of women who were active at the convent. The collegiate church on the historic market square also displays a rediscovered church treasury featuring reliquaries, liturgical objects and sacred artworks.

Natural history is another possible theme: the Willershausen clay pit is a natural monument and fossil site where the animal and plant life of three million years ago has been preserved. Those interested in the history of another town can learn about the ruins of the former Freudenthal hunting lodge, the town walls, St John’s Church and the historic town hall, among other sights, on guided walks through Uslar’s historic old town.

Choosing a place and getting oriented

The district of Northeim has a regional network of bus and rail connections, particularly between its larger municipalities. The A7 also provides strong north–south connections across the district. These transport links offer general guidance for your trip; check the specific route that suits the places you plan to visit.

Other places in this destination: Bodenfelde, Dassel, Uslar, Northeim, Nörten-Hardenberg, Einbeck, Katlenburg-Lindau, Bad Gandersheim, Hardegsen, Moringen and Kalefeld.

Back to the main travel overview: Lower Saxony.