Zest for LIFE

Colourful, lively markets filled with hustling activities
and festivities known well too in the surrounding
country attract local inhabitants and visitors. The
Pedestrian Centre is a popular meeting place for
young and old and invites at any time to go strolling,
to do shopping or to simply linger.
Specialities such as asparagus - fresh from the fields -
or Iambsroast (moorland Iamb) in many variations
are tempting dishes waiting for you to be tasted.
Let yourself be waited on . . .
 

Historian FEATURES Discover traces of 800 years History in Gifhorn.

The first time that Gifhorn is documentarily mentioned dates back to the year 1196/97 as being a small settlement situated at the meeting point of the rivers Aller and Ise.
The two important trade routes are the grain route (today the B 188), running from east to west and the salt route taking the direction Brunswick Lüneburg (today B 4). Trade and craftsmanship led to an early economical growth, so that in the year 1275 trade rights were granted to Gifhorn.
After the near complete destruction during the Hildesheim feud in 1519, Gifhorn began with it's reconstruction in the following years. Buildings dating back to this time are the former Ratsweinkeller (City- Celler) - the original City Hall -, dated 1562, the House of the Chevalier (1540) and Höfer's House (1570) as well as other timbered panelwork houses all lovingly restored and harmoniously integrated into the modern picture of Gifhorn's city life.
It was in 1525 when Duke Ernest began with the construction of the palace which was the residence of Duke Francis from 1539 - 1549. The Gateway House (Torhaus), earliest dated building with it's semicircular gable, is one of the city sights like the Palace Chapel 1547) and the former Commander's House, with the now installed historical Castle Museum in Gifhorn. Exhibitions contributing to the pre- and early history, the development of town and country attract numerous visitors throughout the year.
The Church of St. Nikolai dated 1734 - 1744 is a baroque building with a profusely decorated
churchaltar. The sound of the Christian-Vater-Organ, built 1748 is wellknown beyond the boundaries of Gifhorn and attracts enthusiasts from far and wide.
 

Fascination of WIND and WATER

Since the year 1980 the internationally known Museum
for Wind- and Watermills in Gifhorn attracts thousands
of visitors each year from far and wide.
The open-air Millmuseum covers an area of 10
hectares. Nine original Dills, including the copy of the
Sanssouci mill of Potsdam, represent the utility of wind
and water, power of the past. Copies - according to
scale - from Dills all over the world are on display in
the exhibition hall situated in the centre of the
museum.

Plain Living
Space for active dreams
 
. . . with us you will be in your Element
whether you will soar up into the air, dive into the
waters or simply remain on the ground. A wide range
of leisure time and sport activities in Gifhorn invite to
an active vacation.

Hiking through forests of the vicinity are as popular
with local people as with guests.
Canoeing on and fishing in the Aller and Ise rivers
enjoys great popularity. Horseriders will sense satisfaction when taking a ride into the natural surroundings. Gliders circle silently over wolds and meadows.
 
 
Perhaps you will even sight a hot air balloon on the horizon.
Or do you wish to improve your handicap in golfing?
Young and old frisk in the heated indoor and outdoor swimming pool.
Dreams of action will be fullfilled too on one of the many
tennis courts or during a horse and carriage ride through the heath landscape ...

CULTURE (and) Tradition
 
. . . the festivals that the people of Gifhorn are known to
celebrate!
. . . like the traditional prize shooting festival (Schüt-
zenfest) in June or the attractive historical city celebra-
tions in late summer.
Who would'nt love to join the festivities . . .?
Colours mixed, alive, modern, full of change yet tradi-
tional and charming . . . is the motto for the events in
Gifhorn.
Concerts and Theatre Performances attract many
visitors every year to the Castle Courtyard.
Concerts given in the Hall of the Knights at the castle
as well as the concerts held in the Church of St.
Nikolai are well known beyond the limits of the town.

TRANSPORT FACILITIES
 
Railroad          Bahnhof Gifhorn
                         Hannover - Gifhorn - Wolfsburg -
                         Berlin

                         Gifhorn-Stadt
                         Braunschweig - Gifhorn - Uelzen

Federal Road   B 4 - Braunschweig - Gifhorn -
                          Lüneburg
Bundesstraße   B 188 - Hannover - Gifhorn -
                          Wolfsburg
Autobahn          A 2 - Connection Braunschweig Nord
                          A39 - Connection Wolfsburg
Airport              Hannover-Langenhagen (70 km)
                          Braunschweig-Waggum (Regional Airport, 25 km)
 

SIGHTSEEING
 
International Milling Parkmuseum,
Wind- and Watermillmuseum Gifhorn)
                                Historical Museum, Gifhorn Castle
Gifhorn Castle
                                Castle Chapel
Church St. Nikolai
                                House of the Chevalier
Höfer's House (opposite)
                                Ratsweinkeller (former City HaII)

 
SERVICE
 
Town and Country, Educational Conducted Tours
Conducted Bike Hiking
City Library

CULTURAL EVENTS AND FESTIVITIES
 
Cultural Summerfestival in the Castle
                                Palace Concerts
Jazz in the Backhaus (bakery)
                                Prize Shooting Festival (Schützenfest)
Historical Town Festival
                                Horticultural Market
Christmas Market
                                and many more . . .
 
TIME FOR A SPREE INTO THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY

Otter Centrum in Hankensbüttel
                                Lake Tankum near lsenbüttel
Hunting Museum Wulff in Oerrel
                                Brome Castle Museum
School Museum of Steinhorst
                                Cloister Museum at Isernhagen
Bernsteinsee (Lake Amber) at Stüde
                                Village Museum at Lüben
Heiliger Hain'' (Holy Grove) Heath Landscape
                                Meine and the animal Filmpark

HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

Cafes and traditional Cuisine
Hotels, Inns, Board and Lodgings
Cottages
Camping

OPEN-AIR ACTIVITIES EVENTS ATTRACTIONS

Hiking 
Bike (Trekking) hiking
Tennis / Indoor and Open-air
Riding
Ballooning
Canoeing /-hire
Swimming (In- + outdoor)
Golf /-course
Gliding /-airfield
Horse and Carriage rental
Fishing
Observational Tower Katzenberg

OUR NEIGHBOURS

Wolfsburg          Castle, Planetarium
                          Fine Arts Museum
Braunschweig     City of Henry The Lion
Celle                   Historical citycentre with traditional
                          timber panelwork buildings
                          Residential City
 
Curiosity aroused . . .?
 

If you like to visit Gifhorn or if you want to have more
information about accomodation in Gifhorn or whatever you want to know, please contact us:

Gifhorn Tourismus GmbH
Markplatz 1
38518 Gifhorn
Germany

---

Telefon:    +49  05371 / 88-175
Telefax:    +49  05371 / 88-311
eMail:       info@stadt-Gifhorn.de
 
 
This Information is based on the original English Gifhorn leaflet "Gifhorn - City of Mills" available at the Tourist Information in Gifhorn
 
This Homepage was created by Sebastian Spatz , it is thought to be an addition / a support of the Official Gifhorn Homepage !!!!!

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