Uelzen: Art, urban history and nature

You can get to know Uelzen through its art, architectural history and natural surroundings. If you are looking for a hotel, you can plan your stay around whether you want to focus mainly on the historic city centre, the Path of Stones, or the city's green spaces and waterside areas.

Art and urban history in Uelzen

Uelzen's Hundertwasser railway station was redesigned as an external project for EXPO 2000, based on plans by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It brings together art, ecology and modernity. From the station, the Path of Stones leads into the city centre: 21 brightly painted rock sculptures stand there at intervals of 50 to 100 metres. Each granite block weighs 2 to 8 tonnes and is up to 3 metres high. This lets you combine a walk through the city with a look at a large-scale art project.

The Uelzen Museum preserves and documents original records of the city's cultural history for research and educational purposes, and makes them accessible to the public in exhibitions. The city relief at Herzogenplatz offers another glimpse into the city's history. It stands on a granite plinth, measures 1 metre wide and 1.30 metres long, and depicts Uelzen in 1646. It also includes explanations in Braille.

You will also encounter traces of the past in the city's buildings and squares. At Schnellenmarkt, an artwork created by Georg Münchbach in 1980 commemorates earthenware drinking vessels known as Schnellen. Pottery markets were held there from the Middle Ages until the 20th century. The gable of the Gildehaus dates back to the 15th century and is decorated with glazed bricks and trailing foliage. St. Gertrude's Chapel stands in front of the former Gudestor city gate. Built in the early 16th century, it served as a place of worship and a hostel for travellers.

Enjoy green spaces and water

Wildgatter Uelzen is a mini zoo in the city forest. Its features include native animal species, the Uelzen eagle owl and an elevated visitor platform. Woltersburger Mühle lies on the eastern edge of the Hanseatic city, between deciduous woodland and water. The adjoining forest and surrounding area are ideal for walks and cycling trips.

Ratsteich is bordered by a meadow and parkland, and has places to eat; it is also home to numerous water birds. Canoes and kayaks are used there as well. Conditions of use may vary by season. Uelzen sports boat harbour has a restaurant, sanitary facilities, equipment for boating and a yacht club.

Plan your walk and stay

You can start a self-guided walk through the historic city centre at the city and tourist information office in the town hall or at the city model. The Gothic hall church of St. Mary offers another reason to visit: construction took around 100 years, ending in 1400. Its 86-metre tower can be seen when approaching from every direction. Guided tower climbs are available during the summer months; check the current dates before your visit.

The Vitalmarkt in the city centre offers meat, fish, cheese, baked goods, plants, and fruit and vegetables from regional producers. A carriage ride gives families or groups of up to 25 people the chance to discover Uelzen, the city forest or the wildlife enclosure from a relaxed, new perspective. Check the booking details before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Bad Bevensen, Gerdau, Schwienau, Bad Bodenteich, Suderburg, Emmendorf, Wriedel, Himbergen.

Go to the main travel overview: Uelzen.