Northern Germany holds pleasant surprises for the traveler. In addition to the Fairy Tale Route, Hamburg and its bridges, the Altes Land region is one of the highlights.
Considered “The Jewel of the North”, Altes Land is full of natural beauty, with robust flora and bucolic landscapes. In addition to the medieval architecture, present in most small German cities, Altes Land has the great title of being the region with the greatest fruit production in the country, thanks to its climate and humid soil.
Incorporating so many wonders, in this tourist region, there is no shortage of attractions and beauty: this is the Altes Land. Let's talk a little more about the three main cities in the region: Buxtehude, Stade and Jork.
Buxtehude
Also present on the Fairy Tale Route, being the first city on the route, as it was the setting for the tale “The Hedgehog and the Hare”. For lovers of medieval architecture and history, the city is also a fruitful place, where you will find the Marschtorzwinger, the only defense tower of the old wall that surrounded the city that has been preserved, being the only one still standing in northern Germany. The part of the “old city” found in Buxtehude is a journey back in time, where much has been preserved.
Among the historical points found in the city, the port is certainly the one that stands out the most, where in the past it played a fundamental role in local development, especially as the city was part of the Hanseatic League, which consisted of an alliance of free mercantile cities in northern Europe, especially those close to the North and Baltic Sea.
Another interesting fact about Buxtehude is that it is also part of the European Gothic Brick Route, which covers ancient cities with a great influence of Gothic architecture and to this day preserve these buildings, where we can, superficially, characterize them especially by the bricks red or even white, on the facades of the buildings, along with other Gothic features.
Just like in Hamburg, the region is well served by water sources, being considered swampy, which leads to many creeks, streams and bridges and facilitates fruit production, as mentioned at the beginning of the post. In Buxtehude, apple production is strong and traditional.
Stade
Also a member of the Hanseatic league, Stade's history dates back a thousand years, and it is not just its small-town charm that has been preserved. Some structures in its port are one of the oldest in all of Europe, dating back to the 13th century, and in its historic center we find most of its attractions.
For those interested in maritime history, the Schwedenspeicher-Museum is a great option during the tour. This museum, which can be called the “Swedish Warehouse Museum” tells us the history of the port, the development of the city, as well as the Hanseatic period. Its large wooden crane located in the port, originally built in 1661, and later rebuilt, is a must-see for travelers.
Although, over time, Stade lost the spotlight to Hamburg, its commercial and expansion heyday was enough for the construction of ornate and dazzling buildings, which we can still visit today. Fruit production is also present there, where it is possible to visit the plantations, harvest and taste the fruits directly from the tree.
York
Following the same line as the cities of the Altes Land, Jork is a delight for lovers of the charm of small historic towns, which know how to preserve their past to welcome visitors in the present. Showcasing its half-timbered houses, historic center with buildings that are true gems, there is also a tradition of fruit production, especially cherries.
The city of Jork's relationship with cherries is ancient and close, and the inhabitants have managed to maintain this legacy. To this day, the Altländer Blossom Festival takes place on the first weekend of May, where the queen of Altländer flowers is crowned.
Less than an hour from Hamburg, this region is a great option for visitors staying in Hamburg, getting to know a completely different side to the north seen in Hamburg, the small town atmosphere, with historic buildings, lots of tradition and fruitful production.
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