We recently visited the charming university town of Göttingen in Lower Saxony, Germany. As we had some spare time in our travel schedule, we made an excursion to nearby Duderstadt. This picturesque town, situated in the beautiful natural surroundings of the Eichsfeld, immediately stole our hearts. We were particularly enchanted by the splendid half-timbered houses and imposing church towers. We wandered through the narrow streets of the old town centre, discovering fascinating sights that bear witness to the town’s lively past and dynamic present.
Brief history of Duderstadt
The history of Duderstadt dates back even further than that of Göttingen. The town’s first mention dates from 929 AD, a year that the town still celebrates as its founding year. Duderstadt once belonged to the private property of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Mainz, which explains the strong Catholic influence in the region.
In the Middle Ages, the town grew into an important trading centre, partly due to its strategic location. The 16th century brought both prosperity and challenges, with the construction of the city wall in 1506 and religious conflicts during the Reformation. Over the centuries, various wars and fires occurred. Nevertheless, we find that Duderstadt has managed to retain much of its medieval charm. We see this reflected in the beautifully preserved half-timbered architecture and historic buildings.
Our visit to picturesque Duderstadt
We enter Duderstadt without expectations, but the charm of this small town immediately surprises us. The beautiful half-timbered houses lining the streets instantly catch our attention. It feels as if we’ve travelled back in time to the Middle Ages! We also hear our travel companions often exclaiming “oh” and “ah”. We’re quickly impressed by these striking houses, each with its own unique details and colours.
We then stroll along the Marktstrasse, Duderstadt’s main street, and a few narrow alleyways. We notice how well the town has managed to maintain a balance between its historical character and modern amenities. Cosy cafés and small shops are harmoniously integrated into the old buildings.
St. Cyriakus Church
At the beginning of the Marktstrasse, we pass the St. Cyriakus Church, the Catholic “Upper Church”. This impressive Gothic church from the mid-13th century is often referred to as the “Eichsfeld Cathedral” due to its size and richly decorated interior. We don’t go inside but admire the interesting façade consisting of two twin towers and a beautiful early Gothic portal. With a height of 65 metres, the church dominates the townscape. The St. Cyriakus Church is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the Eichsfeld region and is an important architectural heritage monument.
Town hall
A stone’s throw from the Gothic church, we find the splendid-looking town hall. As the Duderstadt Tourist Information Centre is located in the town hall, we go inside. We ask if we can view the beautiful building. Apparently, our enthusiasm is appreciated because in no time, a friendly staff member leads us through the building.
The young lady first takes us back in time. She tells us that this town hall from the early 14th century is one of the oldest town halls in Germany. It was originally built as a department store but later served as an administrative and courthouse. The torture chamber we briefly visit is a reminder of the peculiar medieval justice system. However, we find the figurative and literal highlight of the town hall to be the tower. After climbing quite a few stairs, a beautiful panoramic view of the old town awaits us.
Anreischke
The tower features a carillon and a mechanical figure called “Anreischke”, the surname of fortress builder Andreas. The figure is a wooden bust that emerges from one of the town hall towers at set times, accompanied by chimes. The story surrounding fortress builder Andreas is deeply rooted in local folklore.
In 1506, Andreas built a three-kilometre-long rampart around Duderstadt. Farmers had to help with the construction. They found Andreas cruel and despised him. They blamed the citizens of Duderstadt for their misery and mockingly called them all Anreischke. In response, the citizens placed a wooden bust of Andreas in the town hall. This “Anreischke” still nods to market visitors every two hours from 9 am to 7 pm, as a reminder of history.
St. Servatius Church and the Westerturm
We find Duderstadt such a lovely town that we could easily entertain ourselves here for a full day. However, later this afternoon we have a visit planned to the Eichsfeld Border Museum. It’s time to leave Duderstadt.
On our way to our minibus, we pass the St. Servatius Church. The construction of this late Gothic church began around 1370 and was completed in 1520. After a fire in 1915, the interior was restored in late Art Nouveau style. The church is smaller than the St. Cyriakus Church we passed earlier and has a more austere style. Special features include a Gothic epitaph from 1383, a lime wood baptismal font, and an organ from 1977. This organ is considered one of the finest in southern Lower Saxony.
At the end of the shopping street, we see the Westerturm. This old city gate from the 15th century is one of Duderstadt’s most recognisable symbols. It has a notably twisted roof due to a construction error. Today, the tower houses a museum about the town’s history. A legend attributes the twisted spire to the devil, who built the tower for an architect short on time. When the architect refused to give up his soul, the devil allegedly twisted the tower spire in anger.
Eichsfeld Border Museum
After the surprisingly enjoyable visit to Duderstadt, we set course for the nearby Eichsfeld Border Museum. Here, you can learn more about the history of the German division. The museum is housed in a former customs office on the border between East and West Germany. Upon entry, Ludger welcomes us. He guides us around and tells us the impressive story of life in the border region during the Cold War.
The museum’s permanent exhibition highlights various aspects of border life. Strolling behind our knowledgeable guide, we view original border installations, including watchtowers, fences and checkpoints. These authentic remains give us an impression of the physical barrier that divided Germany for decades.
An important part of the exhibition are the personal stories of people who lived in the border area. Through colour and black-and-white photographs, documents and testimonies, we gain insight into the daily reality of families separated by the border, and of those who tried to flee to the West.
Interestingly, the museum also pays attention to the broader context of the Cold War and the political tensions between East and West. Supported by interactive displays and multimedia presentations, Ludger helps us understand the complex history of this period.
Green Belt
A special feature of the Border Museum is the opportunity to take a walk along the former border path. The path is part of the Grünes Band (Green Belt), a 1,393-kilometre-long nature area along the former German-German border. The Green Belt was unintentionally created during the German division and was recognised as a valuable nature area after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
The Green Belt is an important biotope corridor with 146 biotope types and more than 1,200 endangered animal and plant species. It connects diverse landscapes and is home to rare animals such as the lynx and black stork. Nature conservation organisations work together to protect and develop the area. Several federal states have declared it a “National Natural Monument”.
Unfortunately, we don’t have time today to walk (part of) this trail. As cycling routes have also been laid out through the Green Belt alongside walking routes, we resolve to return someday. The goal then is to cycle part of the route. We’re already looking forward to it!
Other attractions in the immediate vicinity of Duderstadt
Charming Duderstadt offers more than just historical buildings. There is much more to see and experience in the immediate surroundings.
In addition to the Eichsfeld Border Museum, the ecological centre Gut Herbigshagen is also worth a visit. This research and education centre presents interactive exhibitions on sustainability and biodiversity. During our visit to Gut Herbigshagen, our expert guide Martina shares her knowledge with us on topics such as renewable energy and permaculture. We then take a short walk and enjoy extensive gardens and orchards, and an herb garden with medicinal plants. Martina tells us that you can also observe rare birds here, but we don’t get to see them.
Furthermore, just around the corner from Duderstadt lies the picturesque low mountain range of the Harz. With the Brocken as its highest point (1,141 metres), the nature area offers numerous possibilities for nature and outdoor enthusiasts all year round. In the Harz, you’ll find extensive forests, crystal-clear lakes and picturesque villages. The Harz is known for its excellent hiking and cycling routes, ski areas in winter, and historical sights.
Practical information for a visit to Duderstadt
Duderstadt is located in the south of the German state of Lower Saxony, about 30 kilometres east of the city of Göttingen.
Duderstadt is particularly known for its beautifully preserved half-timbered houses. The city is part of the German Half-Timbered House Road, a tourist route that connects the most beautiful half-timbered towns in Germany.
The main highlights of Duderstadt that we think you shouldn't miss are:
- Marktstraße: the main street of the old town, with beautiful half-timbered houses.
- Westerturm: the iconic city gate from 1343 with its characteristic twisted roof.
- St. Cyriakus Church (Oberkirche): an impressive Gothic church from the 13th-15th century.
- St. Servatius Church (Unterkirche): another beautiful Gothic church at the end of the Marktstraße.
- Rathaus: the historic town hall with its carillon and the mechanical figure "Anreischke".
- City walls: the 3-kilometre-long earthen rampart around the city, ideal for a walk.
- Thielemannsche Haus: one of the best-preserved half-timbered houses in the city, dating from 1546.
If you're interested in Cold War history, a visit to the Eichsfeld Border Museum should not be missed on your day trip.
We visited Duderstadt and nearby Göttingen at the invitation of the German Tourist Board. We have written the blog independently and objectively based on our own impressions.
