Freden (Leine) between church tower and cycle path

Church History and Culture in Freden

Freden was first mentioned in historical records as a church site in 1068. At St. George’s Church, the oldest parts of the massive church tower date from the Romanesque phase of the church’s construction; the rubble-stone masonry is part of this historic fabric. The interior also features a Baroque baptismal angel from the second half of the 18th century. It is considered particularly characteristic of the Hildesheimer Land-Alfeld church district. St. George’s Church thus brings together different eras: its early mention as a church site, Romanesque architectural history and a later work of sacred art.

The Freden Tithe Barn also has its own architectural character. Rubble-stone masonry and timber-frame structures define the building, which serves as a venue for cultural events. It has seating for around 350 people. The International Freden Music Days last several days, with various venues in Freden and the surrounding area becoming stages for musical performances. If you would like to combine your trip with the festival, check the specific event dates for your planned travel period.

Cycle Route and Landscape Around Freden

The approximately 410-kilometre-long Leine-Heide Cycle Path passes through Freden, the Leinebergland, the Hanover Region and the Lüneburg Heath before reaching Hamburg. Its source is near Leinefelde in Thuringia. The stated length refers to the entire route, not a section in Freden. When planning your trip, it is therefore important to decide which section you would like to combine with your stay. The cycle path makes Freden a specific stop along a route that connects several different landscapes.

Nearby lies the Selter, a ridge in the Leinebergland. It stretches from Greene, near Kreiensen, above Freden, as far as Delligsen south of Alfeld (Leine). Geological finds also tell the story of a landscape stretching far back in time: fossilised ammonite shells measuring up to 40 centimetres in diameter have been found at depths of up to two metres in the Selter. The Großer Salzberg contains numerous fossilised mussels, fish and snails that are up to 30 million years old.

Another excursion destination in the area is near Winzenburg, not in the centre of Freden: From the “Apenteich” hiking car park on the edge of the forest, a hiking trail leads after about 150 metres to the Apenteich spring and ponds. For a different kind of outing, Freden’s outdoor swimming pool is on Schildhorster Straße. It reopened to the public on 21 June 2025. Check the current opening hours before planning a visit.

Culture in the wider destination of Hildesheim

The wider destination of Hildesheim offers further, distinct cultural attractions. Hildesheim Cathedral and St. Michael’s Church were jointly added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. St. Michael’s is a three-aisled basilica in the Ottonian, pre-Romanesque or early Romanesque style; its 13th-century painted ceiling depicts the family tree of Christ on 1,300 oak boards. The Fagus Factory in Alfeld is considered the first truly modern building and a pioneering work of modern industrial architecture. These architectural and artistic works belong to the wider destination of Hildesheim, not to the sights in Freden.

When choosing where to stay, it helps to distinguish between things to see in town and destinations in the surrounding area: St. George’s Church and the tithe barn define Freden’s cultural focus, while the Selter hills and Apenteich are separate natural attractions outside the town centre. If the cycle path is your main priority, you can plan around its overall route; those seeking culture will find different architectural themes in Freden and the wider destination of Hildesheim.

Discover more destinations: Ahrbergen, Winzenburg, Despetal, Rheden, Brüggen, Giesen and Bad Salzdetfurth.

Back to the wider travel overview: Hildesheim.