Germany Archives ⋆ The Passenger

May 4, 2026May 4, 2026

Meridianstein

Tucked away in a quiet stretch of woodland east of Friedland, the so‑called southern Meridianstein is one of those understated historical markers you could easily walk past without realising its significance. It’s a modest stone, weathered and almost blending into its natural surroundings, yet it represents a remarkable chapter in the scientific history of the region. Finding it requires a bit of curiosity and a willingness to leave the usual paths, but that sense of discovery is part of its appeal.

May 3, 2026May 3, 2026

Lokschuppen

The Eisenbahnmuseum Lokschuppen Aumühle sits in a historic locomotive shed from 1906 on the edge of the Sachsenwald near Hamburg, and it is run by a volunteer association dedicated to preserving regional rail history. It began life as part of the old railway facilities in Aumühle, and today it serves as a hands-on museum for northern German local and suburban transport.

May 3, 2026May 3, 2026

Sachsenwald

The Sachsenwald near Aumühle is a large forested area east of Hamburg, shaped less like a wilderness and more like a historic cultural landscape, with paths, estates, railway links and memorial sites woven through it. Today it is one of the best places near the city for a walk that combines nature, history and a very distinct North German sense of place.

May 3, 2026May 4, 2026

Bullenhuser Damm

The Gedenkstätte Kinder vom Bullenhuser Damm in Hamburg stands as one of the most haunting memorial sites from the final phase of the Second World War. Hidden within a modest school building in the Rothenburgsort district, it witnessed an unspeakable crime. In April 1945, only days before Germany’s surrender, twenty Jewish children – ten boys and ten girls aged between five and twelve – were brought there from the Neuengamme concentration camp, where they had previously been subjected to brutal medical experiments. The school’s basement became the scene of their final moments.

April 26, 2026May 2, 2026

Tour d‘Energie

The Tour d’Energie in Göttingen has grown into one of the most prominent cycling events in central Germany, renowned for its lively atmosphere and excellent organisation. As a Jedermann-Rennen – meaning an event open to all – it attracts a diverse field of cyclists, from ambitious amateurs to seasoned enthusiasts. 5,500 people were attending this year. What makes the race particularly endearing is the sense of community surrounding it. Entire families line the streets, cheering participants on. It’s as much a festival of cycling as it is a test of endurance.

April 6, 2026April 6, 2026

Max und Moritz

Nestled in the charming village of Ebergötzen in Niedersachsen lies the Wilhelm-Busch-Mühle, a picturesque watermill steeped in cultural history. Surrounded by gentle countryside and framed by the rhythmic whisper of its millstream, this restored site evokes the atmosphere of 19th-century rural Germany. It’s more than just a museum – it’s a living tribute to the friendship between Wilhelm Busch and Erich Bachmann, the miller’s son, with whom the young Busch spent lively days exploring the forests and meadows nearby. The mill still retains its rustic authenticity, allowing visitors to imagine the clatter of cogs and the scent of fresh flour that once filled the air.

April 6, 2026April 6, 2026

Brotmuseum

The Europäisches Brotmuseum in Ebergötzen is a specialist museum devoted to the story of bread, showing how grain cultivation, milling and baking developed over many centuries. It presents this theme as a cultural history of ‘from grain to bread’, with exhibits ranging from the earliest farming communities to modern times.

March 28, 2026March 28, 2026

Bismarck-Denkmal

The Bismarck-Denkmal in Hamburg stands as one of the city’s most imposing and controversial landmarks. Otto von Bismarck, the so-called ‘Iron Chancellor’, was the leading political architect of German unification in 1871 and served as the first Chancellor of the German Empire. Known for his diplomatic skill and pragmatic statecraft, he forged alliances that shaped European politics for decades. In Hamburg, a city proud of its independence and Hanseatic traditions, the decision to honour Bismarck reveals both admiration for his national achievements and a degree of local identification with his strong, determined character.

March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

Landwirtschaftsminister

Klaus-Peter-Bruns-Gedenkstein, Friedland

When I cycle through the south of Göttingen, I often pick a route along the Wendebachstausee – an artificial lake that is a beloved recreation zone. Getting there also means passing a memorial stone with a wide view over the water that remembers my former political companion Klaus Peter Bruns. It was set-up on his 100th birthday which he unfortunately missed by three years. He came there daily to swim but he also spent years as a politician defending the Wendebachstausee for the people of the region.

March 7, 2026March 30, 2026

Mammutmarsch

The Mammutmarsch is an endurance hiking event designed to push participants to their physical and mental limits. It’s not a race in the traditional sense but rather a personal challenge – the goal is simply to complete the course within the set time. The concept originated in Germany and has since grown into a movement that attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year. Participants walk through urban areas, forests, and countryside, often experiencing dramatic changes in terrain and weather along the way.