Hoya: Grafenschloss Castle and Weser Cycle Route

When planning a stay in Hoya, cultural history, scenery and cycling offer different points of focus. The museums and Grafenschloss Castle reveal different aspects of history, while St. Martin’s Church and Bürgerpark each add their own perspective. The approximately 50-kilometre Hoya–Verden circular route adds a cycling option. Which of these possibilities suits your interests is a practical matter of travel planning.

Grafenschloss Castle and St. Martin’s Church

The Grafschaft Hoya Local History Museum is located in the old town on the right bank of the Weser, next to the Martinskirche cultural centre. Grafenschloss Castle in Hoya was built around 1213 as the ancestral castle of the Counts of Hoya, in the form of a moated castle. Today, it houses an exhibition about the history of the counts and the castle. The restored complex also accommodates the Tourist Information Office. If you plan to visit this contact point, check the current service arrangements in advance.

St. Martin’s Church stands on a former island in the Weser and is considered a landmark of Hoya. The main parts of the present-day church date from 1750. Today, it serves as a cultural centre for concerts and readings. It also provides an elegant setting for civil wedding ceremonies with up to 100 guests; a reception drink is possible. Important for planning your visit: St. Martin’s Church is accessible only during events or guided tours. Plan your visit around an appropriate event or a guided tour.

Museums and the history of printing

The Hoya Museum Printing Workshop offers another perspective on cultural history. It displays historic printing presses and book-printing accessories. The workshop also conveys a sense of the more than 500-year history of letterpress printing. School students can print for themselves at twelve workstations. To make use of this hands-on opportunity and the other visitor arrangements, it is advisable to check in advance so you can plan your visit accordingly.

Bürgerpark and the old town

The 33,000-square-metre Bürgerpark lies at the eastern edge of Hoya. Exotic trees feature in its design as an English landscape garden. The park also contains the remains of a former arm of the Weser. This former river arm once provided natural protection for the Counts of Hoya’s castle and the old town centre. Here, garden design meets a piece of the area’s former landscape and urban history.

A weekly market selling regional products is held in the old town. As market dates may change, check the current market day before travelling.

Cycling and finding your way along the Weser

If you want to explore Hoya by bike, you can include the approximately 50-kilometre Hoya–Verden circular route in your plans. It follows the Weser Cycle Route between Hoya and Verden. The approximate distance provides a guide when choosing a route; check the route conditions before setting off.

The riverside location is also useful for visitors: south of the old town, on the left bank of the Weser, there is a motorhome parking area and a marina, both within walking distance. This brings together different themes for trip planning, from Hoya’s architectural and cultural history to cycling along the Weser.

Discover more destinations: Eystrup, Gandesbergen, Hoyerhagen, Bücken, Schweringen, Hämelhausen, Hassel, Hilgermissen

See the higher-level travel overview: Grafschaft Hoya.