The best traffic-free bike rides around Ruhwinkel

easy long ascent rewarded with a descent towards Wahlstedt

Who was Vicelin? Vicelin (c. 1086–1154) was a Christian missionary and later Bishop of Oldenburg in Holstein. He is considered the "Apostle of the Wagrians and Holsteins" because he evangelized the Slavic and Saxon populations of present-day Schleswig-Holstein in the 12th century.

Today's Significance With its 40-meter-high tower, the Vicelin Church is visible from afar and remains the spiritual center of the community today. Modern stained-glass windows, a richly decorated interior, and the park-like church grounds make it a cultural and spiritual attraction.

Historical Origins St. James's Church in Bornhöved was consecrated in 1149 by Bishop Vicelin in the Romanesque style and has dominated the town center ever since. Archaeological finds even indicate a predecessor chapel dating back to around 980, making it one of the oldest religious buildings in the region.

If you are in good shape you can manage the route very well.

The forge is probably the oldest craft building in town. It has been owned by the Küchenmeister family since 1759 and is now used for history, craft and art exhibitions as well as other cultural events. The old workshop character and the historical inventory have been almost completely preserved. The Old Forge is open by prior arrangement by calling 04323/7471. https://www.bornhoeved.de/urlaub-und-freizeit/sehensw%C3%BCrdigkeiten.html https://www.alte-schmiede-bornhoeved.de/

Since 2010, a long piece of Bornhöved's history has been presented in the rooms of the old thatched cottage. An entire room is dedicated to Bornhöved's most famous sons: the painter Charles, the archaeologist Ludwig and the doctor Gustav Ross. Here, a piece of old times is visible in the pictures of Charles Ross. In addition to countless writings, handicrafts from days gone by and the replica of the golden Gönnebek bowl, numerous other valuable individual pieces are on display. The local museum "De ole Rökerkaat" in Bornhöved, Kuhberg 5 is open on Sundays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. https://www.bornhoeved.de/urlaub-und-freizeit/sehensw%C3%BCrdigkeiten.html

The St. Jakobi Church, consecrated in 1149 by Bishop Vicelin and built in the Romanesque style, marks the historical center of the town of Bornhöved. It is located on the Mönchsweg and is larger than other churches of the same period. It is also probably the only church whose construction and consecration can actually be attributed to Bishop Vicelin. Excavations in the 1950s uncovered the foundations of an older baptismal and mission chapel in what is now the choir, probably built around the year 980. The church was built from fieldstone and plaster using the so-called climbing formwork technique. Renovations and additions such as the children's house (now the sacristy) in the south, the tower in the west, the half-timbered gable and the chancel with pillars characterize the current appearance of the Vicelin Church of St. Jakobi. The interior of the church is rather plain today. One of the special features is the wooden pulpit, which was made in the Rococo style by an artist from the Black Forest named Moser, who then lived in Eutin. Originally, a baptismal angel made by the same craftsman adorned the interior of the church. Since 2000/2001, there have been two stained glass windows by the Icelandic artist Leifur Breidfjord in the chancel. The current park-like area that surrounds the church served as a cemetery until the 19th century. The gravestones of the archaeologist Ludwig Ross and his brother Charles Ross (landscape painter) can still be found on the east side of the Vicelin Church. A trumpet tree (Catalpa bignoides), also known as the “abundantly fruiting cigar tree”, planted in front of the church in 1912, is one of the oldest examples of its kind in northern Germany. Free church tour after telephone registration on 04323/901211, open church on Tues., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. with "church sitters". Visitors can also usually get the church key Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Martin Luther Community Center, Am Alten Markt 16 or by telephone appointment on 04323/901211 https://www.bornhoeved.de/urlaub-und-freizeit/sehensw%C3%BCrdigkeiten.html