What the place is
The Lönsgrab, or Hermann Löns Grave, is in the Tietlinger Wacholderhain, a juniper grove near Walsrode in Lower Saxony, Germany. It commemorates Hermann Löns, the journalist and writer known as the “Heath Poet” (Heidedichter), whose work celebrated the landscape and cultural heritage of the Lüneburg Heath.
Walsrode is a town in the district of Heidekreis. Among its best-known attractions is Weltvogelpark Walsrode, also called the Walsrode Bird Park, described as the largest bird park in the world. The Lönsgrab and its surrounding heathland offer a quieter setting, with juniper groves, walking trails and views across the nature reserve.
History
Walsrode
The history of Walsrode is closely connected to Walsrode Abbey. Founded in 986 by Count Walo and his wife Odelint under a decree by King Otto III, it is the oldest monastery in the former Principality of Lüneburg. Its patron saint is John the Baptist. The abbey began as a Benedictine nunnery and later became a Lutheran women’s convent. (Walsrode Abbey)
The first recorded mention of Walsrode as a town is dated May 7, 986, the year the abbey was founded. In 1383, the dukes of Brunswick and Lüneburg granted it a town charter. The town’s coat of arms was first recorded in 1479. Walsrode was also the birthplace of Hans Brüggemann, the sculptor who created the Bordesholm Altar of Schleswig Cathedral. (Walsrode)
In 1626, troops under Count Tilly extensively destroyed Walsrode during the Thirty Years’ War. A fire destroyed the town in 1757, requiring extensive rebuilding. In 1811, Walsrode became a border town between France and the Kingdom of Westphalia; in 1814, it was incorporated into the Kingdom of Hanover. Prussia annexed the town in 1866 following the Austro-Prussian War, and the railroad reached Walsrode in 1890. In 1957, the German border patrol agency, the Bundesgrenzschutz, established a training school there. In 1984, the Lower Saxony state legislature allowed Walsrode to incorporate as an “independent community.” (Walsrode)
Hermann Löns and the grave
Hermann Löns was born in 1866. As a journalist and writer, he used poetry, novels and essays to celebrate the natural beauty of the Lüneburg Heath. He died in 1914 during World War I, and his remains were initially buried in France.
In 1934, his presumed remains were transferred to Germany and reinterred in the Tietlinger Wacholderhain. Accounts of the transfer also describe a group of SA men exhuming a zinc coffin from a cemetery chapel in Fallingbostel in 1934, reburying it near Barrl, and later moving the remains to the grove. The identity of the remains is still uncertain. The grave was established in 1935 and is marked by a large boulder inscribed with Löns’ name and a Wolfsangel symbol.
The nature reserve and bird park
The area around the Lönsgrab was designated a protected nature reserve in 1951, with the designation reaffirmed in 1967. The reserve covers approximately 14 hectares, is managed by the district of Heidekreis, and forms part of the larger FFH area No. 077 Böhme, which aims to preserve the heathland ecosystem.
Weltvogelpark Walsrode was established in 1962 by Fritz Geschke as a private breeding facility for pheasants and water birds. Under the ownership of his daughter, Uschi, and her husband, Wolf Brehm, it developed into a conservation and visitor centre. (Walsrode Bird Park)
What to see
Lönsgrab and Tietlinger Wacholderhain
The grave’s boulder bears the inscription “Hier ruht Hermann Löns” (“Here rests Hermann Löns”) and the Wolfsangel symbol. The surrounding grove has hilly terrain and picturesque juniper stands. The reserve’s trails pass through heathland where visitors can observe local flora and fauna, including Heidschnucken, a breed of heath sheep that graze freely in the area.
Weltvogelpark Walsrode
The bird park covers 24 hectares and has more than 4,000 birds from over 540 species. Its design blends with the natural surroundings. (Walsrode Bird Park)
Daily flight demonstrations feature falcons, eagles, parrots, pelicans and Indian Runner ducks. The 2,100-square-meter Paradies-Halle houses exotic species, while the Jungle Hall features Indonesian artifacts and Asiatic bird species. The park also has a young bird-rearing station, where children can learn about raising and caring for young birds, and feeding demonstrations that explain the birds’ feeding habits and diets. (Walsrode Bird Park)
Practical visiting information
Lönsgrab
- Location Parkplatz Tietlingen 6a, 29664 Walsrode OT Tietlingen.
- Opening The site is accessible year-round and has no specific opening hours.
- Admission Free.
- Parking A designated parking area is at the entrance to the Tietlinger Wacholderhain.
There are no regular guided tours specifically for the Lönsgrab. The Tietlinger Wacholderhain often hosts special events and nature walks about the area’s flora and fauna. Local listings or the Heidekreis district office can provide information about upcoming events.
Weltvogelpark Walsrode
Tickets are available online and at the gate:
- Adults €20
- Children aged 4–16 €15
- Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) €60
Discounts are available for groups and senior citizens.
The park is open year-round, with seasonal hours:
- April to October 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
- November to March 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
The park is designed for visitors with disabilities: it has no steps, all paths are paved, and enclosures can be viewed by wheelchair users. Wheelchairs can be lent free of charge on application. (Niedersachsen Tourism)
Getting to Walsrode
Walsrode is accessible by car and public transportation, and is connected by the A27 and A7 highways. Walsrode station is a short taxi ride or a pleasant walk from the bird park. Parking at the bird park is ample and free for visitors.
Tips
The reserve is particularly scenic during the heather bloom in late summer, in July and August, though it offers a peaceful retreat at any time of year. Its juniper groves and open landscape also provide opportunities for nature photography.
Nearby places
Nearby attractions include Weltvogelpark Walsrode, the Lüneburg Heath Nature Park, Serengeti Park Hodenhagen, and the historic town of Celle. The Grundloser See, a scenic lake in the Grundloses Moor nature reserve, is also nearby.
FAQ
What are the visiting hours for Lönsgrab?
The site is accessible year-round and has no specific opening hours.
Are guided tours available at Lönsgrab?
There are no regular guided tours specifically for the grave, but special events and nature walks are often held in the Tietlinger Wacholderhain.
When is the best time to visit Lönsgrab?
The reserve is particularly beautiful during the heather bloom in late summer, in July and August.
What are the opening hours for Weltvogelpark Walsrode?
The park is generally open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM from April to October, and from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM from November to March. It is open year-round.
How much do tickets to Weltvogelpark Walsrode cost?
Tickets cost €20 for adults, €15 for children aged 4–16, and €60 for a family ticket covering 2 adults and 2 children. Discounts are available for groups and senior citizens.
Is Weltvogelpark Walsrode accessible to people with disabilities?
Yes. The park has paved paths and no steps, and wheelchairs can be lent free of charge on application.
What other attractions are near Walsrode?
Nearby attractions include the Lüneburg Heath Nature Park, Serengeti Park Hodenhagen, the historic town of Celle, Weltvogelpark Walsrode and the Grundloser See in the Grundloses Moor nature reserve.
