The best MTB trails in Obere Dummeniederung

The castle tower in the Salzwedel castle garden is the oldest preserved building in the city. It is considered the historical heart and architectural landmark of the Hanseatic city. The round brick tower was built at the end of the 12th century (probably around 1160). It served as the central defensive tower (keep) of a once powerful, ring-shaped lowland castle. This castle complex had an overall diameter of about 220 meters and protected the important trade route (Salzstraße) at the crossing of the river Jeetze. The tower today has a striking height of around 24 meters. Originally, it was even higher and culminated in a steep roof spire. To withstand possible sieges, the foundation was built extremely solidly. The wall thickness at the base of the tower is an impressive 3.60 meters. Typical for medieval defensive towers, the original entrance is not at ground level, but is a so-called high entrance at a height of about 12 meters. Inside, in the lower, windowless area, lies the former dungeon. The tower is freely accessible in the park-like castle garden and is surrounded by old trees and the remains of the historic castle wall. While the garden area can be visited free of charge daily from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, the interior of the tower is usually only open for special city events or as part of guided tours booked through the Salzwedel Tourist Information.

The Burggarten in Salzwedel is a quiet city park in the center, located on the grounds of the historic Salzwedel Castle. • Address: Burgstraße 42, 29410 Salzwedel • Opening hours: Daily from morning until evening (approx. 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM) • Admission: The park is freely accessible. • Atmosphere: Very quiet, green, and characterized by historical flair. Visitors appreciate the place for strolling and lingering. • The Keep (Castle Tower): The well-preserved defensive tower dates from the late 12th century. It is about 24 meters high with impressive wall thickness at the base. The high entrance is at a height of around 12 meters. • Memorial Hall (Hall of Honor): In 1923, a hall of honor was erected for the fallen of World War I. • Remains of St. Anne's Chapel: Remains of the old castle chapel's walls can still be seen on the grounds. • Remains of the defensive wall and castle moat: Evidence of the former ring-shaped lowland castle, which was likely built in the 9th century to protect a trade route on the Jeetze river. • Directly from the Burggarten, stairs lead down to the courtyard of the well-known Baumkuchen bakery Café Kruse, where the famous Salzwedel Baumkuchen can be enjoyed. • In summer, the park occasionally serves as a venue for open-air festivals.

Café Kruse in Salzwedel is an ideal destination for a stopover on your bike. Since 1842, the famous original Salzwedel Baumkuchen has been baked layer by layer over an open flame in the traditional way. In the glass-fronted bakery, you can even watch the bakers at work before enjoying a piece of the specialty in the cozy café – whether classic fondant or covered in fine chocolate. After a bike ride through the Altmark region, this visit is a particularly sweet stopover that perfectly combines indulgence and regional culture.

Very nice walk in absolute peace.

My favorite is Café Kruse. Great selection of cakes and Baumkuchen in all variations! 🙂

Very tasty and inexpensive cake

The photo point in Salzwedel, as seen in your picture, impressively frames one of the city's most striking historical ensembles: the mighty keep of the former city fortifications and the Gothic St. Mary's Church in the background. The red frame with the lettering "Hanseatic City of Salzwedel - The Altmark" draws the eye to this charming motif and makes it a popular spot for souvenir photos. Surrounded by manicured greenery and mature trees, the area around the photo point invites not only photography but also a place to linger. Salzwedel is a bicycle-friendly city with a high quality of life – perfect for a stop on a city tour through the Altmark region.

From 1973 onwards there was a border crossing point between the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR for passenger traffic