The Count’s Castle, the Museum Print Shop and the Martinskirche Cultural Centre showcase three different sides of Hoya: the history of the counts, the development of printing and cultural events today. The Weser also shapes local themes—as a former protective landscape around the castle and as a reference point for a cycling tour. When planning your visit, you can choose different focuses, from history and culture to outdoor activities.
The castle and the history of the old town
Hoya Count’s Castle was built around 1213 as the ancestral seat of the Counts of Hoya, in the form of a moated castle. Today, it houses an exhibition on the history of the counts and the castle. The restored complex also houses the Tourist Information Office; check its current services before you travel.
The Grafschaft Hoya Local History Museum is in the old town, on the right bank of the Weser, next to the Martinskirche Cultural Centre. This brings two distinct topics together: the castle covers the counts and their fortress, while the local history museum explores the history of the county. This distinction can help you choose which exhibitions to visit based on your interests.
The historic art of printing
The Hoya Museum Print Shop offers a different focus. It displays historic printing presses and related equipment, giving visitors an insight into the more than 500-year history of printing with movable type. Schoolchildren can print for themselves at twelve workstations. If you would like to include this activity in your plans, check the arrangements for visits in advance. Unlike the castle exhibition, the emphasis here is more strongly on printing technology.
Martinskirche: culture with limited access
The Martinskirche Cultural Centre, a landmark of Hoya, stands on a former island in the Weser. However, the main parts of the present-day church date from 1750. Today, the Martinskirche hosts concerts and readings. Civil wedding ceremonies for up to 100 guests are also possible, with the option of adding a drinks reception.
The Martinskirche is open to visitors only during events or guided tours. As the events programme may change, check the dates if you plan to visit the interior. The Martinskirche thus combines a historic architectural past with cultural use today, while access is not available at all times.
Park, weekly market and the Weser Cycle Route
The 33,000-square-metre Bürgerpark lies at the eastern edge of Hoya. It was designed with exotic trees in the style of an English landscape garden. The park also contains the remains of an old arm of the Weser, which once provided natural protection for Hoya Count’s Castle and the old town centre. The former river arm thus links the landscape with the town’s history.
A weekly market selling regional products is held in the old town. If the market is important to your plans, check the current date. For a cycling trip, the approximately 50-kilometre Hoya–Verden circular route follows the Weser Cycle Route. The park and market offer different experiences from the route between the two towns; check current route conditions before setting off.
Planning your stay
South of Hoya’s old town, on the left bank of the Weser, there is a motorhome stopover and a marina for recreational boats; both are within walking distance. Together with the Tourist Information Office in the restored castle complex, these details provide guidance on different places to visit.
Discover more destinations: Eystrup, Gandesbergen, Hämelhausen, Schweringen, Hassel, Hoyerhagen, Bücken, Hilgermissen.
Go to the main travel overview: Grafschaft Hoya.
