Kirchseelte: Discover Nature and History

Kirchseelte lies on the edge of the Harpstedter Geest in the Wildeshauser Geest Nature Park. Two themes in particular shape the decision to travel here: a varied landscape defined by stream valleys and agriculture, and historical traces ranging from the first documentary mention to the history of farmhouses.

Landscape Between Stream Valleys and Forest

Kirchseelte’s landscape includes meadows in the stream’s low-lying valleys, large grain fields and pastureland. Small groves are scattered throughout Kirchseelte; larger forest areas include Baßmerhoop and Buchholz.

Wetlands designated as natural monuments provide refuges for endangered animal and plant species. The Klosterbach forms Kirchseelte’s eastern boundary and flows from south to north here. After 16 kilometres, it reaches the Ochtum.

Local History and the History of Farmhouses

Kirchseelte was first mentioned in a document in 1211, under the name Selete. Another glimpse into history is a Low German hall house in Kirchseelte. The derelict building dates from the 16th century; after acquiring it, the buyer began restoring it. These offer two distinct traces of the past: an early written mention and the preservation of historic buildings.

The Farmhouse Interest Group was founded in Kirchseelte in 1973. Its founder acted together with 75 farmhouse enthusiasts. The two years mark distinct points in time: 1211 represents the first mention, while 1973 marks the founding of the interest group.

Regional Context Within the Wider Oldenburg Destination

The Wildeshauser Geest has a network of more than 1,200 kilometres of cycle paths. Twenty themed cycling routes connect the landscape with features of cultural history.

The Pestrup Burial Ground south of Wildeshausen is an archaeological site of supraregional importance, set in a heath and pine landscape. It is also the largest continuous heathland area in the district of Oldenburg. Short and longer walks are possible there.

The Cistercian monastery of Hude is another site of cultural history. Founded in 1232, it was called “Portus Sancte Marie” (“Harbour of Saint Mary”); it quickly developed into the spiritual, economic and political centre of the eastern part of the County of Oldenburg. The remains of a three-aisled basilica with an expansive transept survive from the monastery church; originally, it was over 57 metres long and over 24 metres wide. The museum at Hude Monastery displays models illustrating the building’s history, archaeological finds, maps and texts about the history of the Cistercians. It also features a scriptorium where visitors can write with a quill.

Another regional activity is the 40-kilometre canoe route on the Hunte from Wildeshausen to Oldenburg. Along the route are eleven launch and landing points, ten rest areas and eleven information boards; it passes sandbanks, steep riverbanks and forests.

The Lethe Nature Trail is also part of the wider Oldenburg destination. The approximately three-kilometre circular route passes through the Wardenburger Lethe lowlands; it starts at Wardenburg watermill, by the bridge over the Lethe, and lies west of the town centre in the “Lethe” nature reserve.

Discover more destinations: Kirchhatten, Hude, Oldenburg, Hatten, Dötlingen, Wardenburg, Wildeshausen, Ganderkesee.

Back to the main travel overview: Oldenburg.