During periods of high flooding, the grassland areas of the “Allerschleifen zwischen Wohlendorf und Hülsen” nature reserve are flooded; pronounced flood channels and hollows may temporarily carry water. Together with open areas, hedges, individual trees and willow scrub along the banks, this creates a varied landscape. At the Aller dyke in Wohlendorf, the river makes several bends. For travellers interested in river landscapes, this is a defining feature of the village.
The loops of the Aller and its wildlife
When water levels are high, many waterbirds occur in the area, and the white stork finds good living conditions there. The protected stretch of the Aller from Wohlendorf to Hülsen provides a habitat or partial habitat for typical river species of animals and plants, especially otters and beavers. The nature reserve also protects the FFH site 090 “Aller (mit Barnbruch), untere Leine, untere Oker”. The meandering river branches therefore represent not only a landscape feature, but also the preservation of typical habitats.
The Aller Cycle Route
A route description from 2022 described the Aller Cycle Route from Wohlendorf through Rethem; near Bosse, it followed a former railway line towards Ahlden. Rethem and Bosse mark different points along the route: near Bosse, the line’s former use is a distinctive feature. If you are including the route in your plans today, check its condition before setting off. The cycle route has a different focus from the nature reserve: here, it is about a connection through several local areas, while there it is about the river landscape and its protected habitats.
Jewish history in Wohlendorf
The Jewish cemetery in Wohlendorf, at Auf der Bucht 6, 27336 Rethem (Aller), has been used for burials since around 1850 by Jewish people from Rethem; approximately five headstones remain today. Its connection to Rethem and the surviving headstones make the cemetery a tangible site of local Jewish history. Male visitors wear a head covering when visiting Jewish cemeteries; graves must not be entered, and eating and drinking are prohibited. Visits are not permitted on Jewish holidays or on Shabbat. Some Jewish cemeteries are locked; check the visiting arrangements for the cemetery in Wohlendorf in advance.
Art in the village
A description from 2011 noted that the WoDoHo village community association from Wohlendorf presented an art exhibition in the Wohlendorfer DorpschĂĽn every year in mid-July. The exhibition described offered a different cultural focus from the cemetery: here, the emphasis was on community-organised art, while there it was on the history of the Jewish community from Rethem. If you are planning to visit an exhibition, check the current dates before your trip.
Plan your stay around your interests
When looking for a holiday apartment in Wohlendorf, you can choose the focus of your trip based on whether you are interested in the river landscape and its wildlife, the cycle route described here, or local history. These topics offer different reasons for choosing the destination; which ones matter to you will determine how you plan your stay.
Discover more destinations: Rethem-Moor.
Return to the main travel overview: Rethem.
