Get to know Velpke through its quarrying history, trails through the Velpker Schweiz and places of remembrance. There are several ways to plan your visit: a walking route of about two kilometres, a circular cycling route of around 35 kilometres, and cultural and historical sites in the town. This lets you decide whether to make the landscape, cycling or history the focus of your stay.

Sandstone and Trails in the Velpker Schweiz

Velpke Rhät sandstone has been quarried in numerous quarries since 1640. The former quarry landscape gives the Velpker Schweiz its distinctive geological character: the disused quarries, most of which are now submerged, lie mainly west and northwest of Velpke and offer insights into the depositional environment of the Upper Keuper. This connects the landscape with the long history of sandstone quarrying, while keeping the two subjects distinct: one concerns a former industry, the other the area's geological composition.

The former quarries have developed into secondary aquatic habitats with distinctive communities of plants and animals. The landscape of the Velpker Schweiz alternates between land and water, hills and small valleys, and woodland and reed beds. The area has been designated a landscape conservation area since 1969, with the aim of providing opportunities for peaceful recreation in the countryside. Visitors interested in the area will therefore find both a geological perspective and a variety of landscapes and habitats.

The Velpker Schweiz Trail starts at the car park by the Velpke sports ground and is about two kilometres long. It is quite different from the Velpker Schweiz Circular Cycling Route, which connects Velpke with Wolfsburg and Oebisfelde and is about 35 kilometres long. When planning your visit, you can start by considering the activity you prefer and the stated distances: a walking trail or a longer cycling route.

Church History and Remembrance in Velpke

The town's history is also reflected in specific dates. Construction of St. Mary's Church in Velpke began in 1927. It was consecrated by Bishop Nikolaus Bares on 3 November 1929. These dates mark two distinct stages in its history: the start of construction and the later consecration.

Another place of remembrance is the cemetery in Velpke. A memorial plaque was unveiled there on 16 November 1996, commemorating the murdered Polish and Soviet infants at the Velpke foreign children's nursery. The inscription names 76 Polish and 15 Russian infants who died of exhaustion at the Velpke children's home in 1944. Visiting this memorial is a quiet, solemn way to engage with the town's history; the plaque records both the numbers and their connection to the children's home.

More Culture in the Wider Helmstedt Destination

In the wider Helmstedt destination, architectural history and museums complement the themes associated with Velpke. In Helmstedt, the Juleum Novum assembly hall of the former university was built between 1592 and 1597 as a palace-like Renaissance building. The District and University Museum in the Juleum displays a model of the town of Helmstedt as it was around 1750, as well as original objects from the university's history, including an astronomical disc, a globe and tableware from the university canteen.

In Königslutter, the Imperial Cathedral is one of Lower Saxony's most impressive Romanesque buildings. The cathedral, cloister and Imperial Linden Tree on the former monastery grounds are a popular attraction. At the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments, guided tours explain how the instruments work; almost all are functional and ready to be demonstrated. These cultural destinations are in the wider Helmstedt area and offer other points of interest if you would like to explore beyond Velpke.

For visits to Helmstedt, the current schedule lists climbs up the Juleum Tower, which has 153 steps, from April to October on the first Saturday of each month between 11:00 and 12:00. Free public guided tours of the monastery and St. Marienberg Church take place on the stated dates, on the first Sunday of each month at 14:00. Check the dates again before visiting, as times and arrangements may change.

Discover more destinations: Groß Twülpstedt, Söllingen, Bahrdorf, Schöningen, Helmstedt, Süpplingenburg, Lehre, Brunsleberfeld.

Back to the main travel overview: Helmstedt.