Around Visbek

We start in the 1,200-year-old municipality of VISBEK. The monument to Abbot Gerbert Castus behind the St. Vitus Church commemorates the “Apostle of the Oldenburg Münsterland,” who initiated the Christianization of the region from here around 800 AD.

Continuing, we visit the Lourdes Grotto built in 1906 on the Visbeker Bäke. The mourning beech tree in HAGSTEDT has stood since 1898 among the extensive orchards on the old long-distance road Reuterweg. Its overhanging branches conceal a wayside cross. Fresh fruit and fruit products can be purchased at the nearby farm shop.

In the nature reserve of the Bäke of the Endeler and Holzhauser Heide lies the Kokenmühle. It was first mentioned in documents in 1540 and has been owned by the Koke family ever since. Shortly after, we reach the largest prehistoric megalithic tombs in Germany from the Neolithic period: the Visbeker Bridegroom and the Heathen's sacrificial table. The four-kilometer-long Bridal Path leads us to the Visbeker Bride, a somewhat smaller yet still impressive structure. Information boards explain these and other burial sites in the area.

Next, we go through the farming communities of RECHTERFELD and BONRECHTERN to the Herrenholz nature reserve in GOLDENSTEDT. Part of it, the Herrenholz primeval forest, is left to develop naturally. The old forester’s house and the nearly five-meter-circumference king oak are also worth a detour.

After this intense nature experience, we ride via ASTRUP back to VISBEK. Here we embark on a journey into the municipality’s past at Archäo Visbek. Documents and excavation finds bring early Visbek back to life.

DETOURS

• Kühling fruit farm
• Endel chapel
• Varnhorn sheep barn
• Old bakehouse of the Bruns family in Hogenbögen
• Visbek Way of the Cross