Gifhorn is situated in the low-lying valley of the river Aller, which is joined here by the Ise. First mentioned in the records as a town in 1370, it prospered as a result of its situation on the "salt road" from Lüneburg to Braunschweig and the "grain road" from Magdeburg to Celle.
Northeast of the Schloss in Gifhorn are the Schloss-see and the Mühlensee. In this area is the International Mill Museum, with six historic old windmills, watermills and an exhibition hall (models of windmills).
30km/20mi north of Gifhorn, in a park-like area of woodland and heath, is Hankensbüttel. Features of interest in this little town are the Wulff Hunting Museum in the Oerrel district, the 14th century Isenhagen Convent (now a Protestant house of retreat for women) and the Otter Center (otters, martens, etc.) on the Isenhagener See.
Steam train
The Preussenzug, a nostalgic old steam train, runs between Hankensbüttel and Brome during the summer.
In and around the Marktplatz in Gifhorn are a number of 16th and 17th century half-timbered buildings, including the Old Town Hall (Ratskeller and Municipal Archives) of 1562.
Northeast of the Marktplatz in Gifhorn stands the old Guelph Schloss, built for Duke Franz in the mid 16th C, with a beautiful chapel. It is now occupied by the District Heimatmuseum.
Address: Schloss Gifhorn, D-38518 Gifhorn, Germany
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Hankensbuttel, Germany
