Discover Velpke: Sandstone, Trails and History

Velpke combines local history with a surrounding area shaped by former sandstone quarrying. Velpker Schweiz is known for geological and ecological features of former quarries; in Velpke, St. Mary’s Church and a memorial plaque tell of different historical periods. A footpath and a circular cycling route also offer different options for planning your route.

Sandstone and Velpker Schweiz

Velpke Rhät sandstone has been quarried in numerous quarries since 1640. In the surrounding area, particularly west and northwest of Velpke, lie the disused quarries, most of which are filled with water. They offer insights into the depositional environment of the Upper Keuper. This brings together two perspectives: the history of sandstone extraction and the geological context of the landscape.

The ecological character of Velpker Schweiz is also part of the picture. Secondary aquatic habitats have developed in the former quarries, where distinctive communities of plants and animals have taken shape. The landscape shifts between land and water, hills and valleys, and woodland and reeds. Since 1969, Velpker Schweiz has been designated a landscape conservation area to allow for quiet recreation in the countryside. Geology, habitats and this recreational function are different aspects of the same landscape.

On Foot or by Bike

The Velpker Schweiz trail starts at the parking lot by Velpke sports field and is about 2 km long. This gives you a specific distance to consider for a walk. The Velpker Schweiz circular cycling route connects Velpke with Wolfsburg and Oebisfelde and is about 35 kilometres long. The two routes differ considerably in activity and distance: one is a short footpath, the other a longer cycling route connecting two more towns.

If you plan your trip around the distance you want to cover, these details make it easy to compare the options. The footpath leads into Velpker Schweiz; the circular cycling route connects several named places. Both offer a different perspective on the surrounding area, without implying a specific walking or cycling time based on their lengths.

Church History and Remembrance

Construction of St. Mary’s Church in Velpke began in 1927. It was consecrated by Bishop Nikolaus Bares on 3 November 1929. The start of construction and the consecration provide a specific timeframe for the church’s history and place it within the local history of the early 20th century.

A memorial plaque in the cemetery commemorates the murdered Polish and Soviet infants at the Velpke care home for children of foreign workers. It was unveiled on 16 November 1996. Its inscription names 76 Polish and 15 Russian infants who died of exhaustion at the Velpke children’s home in 1944. The plaque links the memorial site to a specific dedication; its inscription records the numbers, year and cause of death.

Helmstedt as a Destination in Its Own Right

If you also consider Helmstedt as a destination in its own right, you’ll find a distinct focus there on architecture and university history. The Juleum Novum, the assembly hall of the former university, was built from 1592 to 1597 as a palatial Renaissance building. At the District and University Museum in the Juleum, a town model shows Helmstedt as it was around 1750; the collection also includes original objects from the university period, including an astronomical disc, a globe and tableware from the university refectory. In Helmstedt, the Juleum’s architectural history and objects from the university period offer different points of entry to the past.

Discover more destinations: Lehre, Räbke, Helmstedt, Bahrdorf, Warberg, Süpplingenburg, Schöningen, Lauingen

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