Eickeloh: The Old Church, burial mounds and a reaction ferry

Early traces and memories of wartime

The three burial mounds in the mixed heath and pine forest are considered the last remnants of what was probably once a larger burial-mound field. The cautious wording “probably” is part of their story: the mounds point to a larger burial ground, but its former extent cannot be considered certain. A Neanderthal hand axe found in Eickeloh attests to the early prehistoric use of the Eickeloh/Hademstorf area. The find and the mounds represent different kinds of archaeological traces: here, a single object; there, the last remnants of a presumed burial ground.

The Wartenberg is associated with another historical memory. During the Thirty Years’ War and the Second World War, it served as a hiding place for the people of Eickeloh from enemy troops. These two periods offer a different historical perspective from the prehistoric finds: the focus is now on the experiences of local people during two wars.

The Old Church: its foundation and later use

The present-day Old Church in Eickeloh was donated to the citizens of Eickeloh by Heinrich von Hodenberg in 1296. It was dedicated “To the Holy Cross.” When a larger church was built on a new site in 1887, the von Hodenberg family converted the Old Church into a family crypt. The two dates mark different stages in its history: its foundation as a church and its later conversion into a family crypt. Anyone interested in local history will find a concrete change of use here, not just an old construction date.

Crossing the Aller by reaction ferry

The Eickeloh reaction ferry crosses the Aller between the banks at Eickeloh and Grethem. It is propelled solely by the force of the water current. For cyclists and hikers on the Aller Cycle Route, the crossing is considered a highlight of their tour along the Aller. It offers a different travel experience from the historical traces: here, the focus is on the experience of crossing the water.

Groups of 15 or more can cross by prior arrangement. If you are planning a group trip, check the dates with the local operator. If you would like to include the ferry in your tour, it is also a good idea to confirm planned crossings with them in advance. When choosing the focus of your trip, you can weigh up whether the local history or the ferry crossing as part of a cycling or hiking tour will be the deciding factor.

More to explore in the wider Heidekreis destination

The wider Heidekreis destination also includes places with very different attractions. In Munster, the German Tank Museum’s exhibition features more than 150 large exhibits and spans five halls covering more than 10,000 square metres. The “Hof der Heidmark” in Bad Fallingbostel tells a story of construction: built in 1642, dismantled in 1936 and rebuilt in Liethwald, it is a listed monument and one of the oldest buildings in Heidekreis district.

Leisure attractions also add to the range of things to do in Heidekreis. Peppa Pig Land at Heide Park in Soltau offers gentle rides and family entertainment for younger children; Heide Park’s Big 7 include the roller coasters Colossos, Krake and Scream. This makes it easy to distinguish between different interests for a stay: Eickeloh offers points of interest relating to archaeological traces, the church and the ferry, while the Heidekreis destinations mentioned above add museums, architecture and theme parks. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your stay, then choose the destination that suits you.

Discover more destinations: Grethem, Hademstorf.

Back to the wider travel overview: Samtgemeinde Ahlden / Hodenhagen.