Experiencing nature by the Schwentine

Painting of marigolds on the Schwentine´s banks
Painting of marigolds on the Schwentine´s banks

The Schwentinetal valley has a long tradition of rambling and hiking. In 1815, the canon of Hamburg’s cathedral, a man named Meyer, spent a summer travelling through the region, and was delighted by a path that: “wound with gentle curves… with picturesque views all the way to the mouth of the river”.

The Oppendorf estate
The Oppendorf estate

With the age of enlightenment, it was not only the population of the town who developed a feeling for nature and for beautiful landscapes. By the 18th century, parks had been laid out on the banks of the Schwentine that incorporated the river into their design.

A boat trip on the Schwentine
A boat trip on the
Schwentine

Place names such as “Lustberg” (“pleasant hill”) indicate places that were formerly popular scenic destinations for local landowners. With increased opportunities for travel from the mid-19th century onwards, the number of visitors from the towns to the Schwentinetal increased.

The former location of the Rastorf paper mill was particularly popular due to the steep fissures in the valley here, which give the scenery a Swiss appearance.

Today the rambling route along the Schwentine allows visitors to discover the landscape on foot or by bike. From the unspoiled Schwentinetal - parts of which are conservation areas - to the urban mouth of the river in the Firth of Kiel, visitors have a wide range of cultural and natural experiences to choose from.

Picture credits: 
Ulf Fürst, Kiel (state capital), Stadt- und Schiffahrtsmuseum ( civic and shipping museum)
Werner Schumacher
Kiel (state capital), city archive
 
Where do you find this place?
Link to city map