Wunstorf: Aue, Old Town and Aviation History

Aviation history at the Ju-52 Hall

The Traditionsgemeinschaft Lufttransport Wunstorf e.V. (Wunstorf Air Transport Association) operates an exhibition of military-historical objects, open to everyone, at the Ju-52 Hall and on the adjoining outdoor grounds right next to Wunstorf Air Base. The centrepiece is a Junkers Ju-52, one of the last examples in the world in its original condition. Together with Air Transport Wing 62 of the German Air Force, the exhibition presents an overview of the history of air transport and Wunstorf Air Base; other aviation exhibits round out the display.

Access arrangements are also worth considering when planning your visit: the Ju-52 Hall and outdoor areas are accessible without barriers. This does not apply to the interior of the Transall. When choosing activities for your group, you can take into account which areas you would like to visit, without treating the exhibition as a town walking tour.

Old Town, Abbey and Churches

The 15th-century abbey has been extensively renovated and serves as Wunstorf’s cultural centre. The ground-floor hall hosts exhibitions, readings, concerts, receptions and talks for up to 100 people. This gives the abbey a varied cultural role: depending on your interests, you can look out for both exhibitions and literary and musical events when planning your trip.

The town’s history is also reflected in the ensemble of the abbey and the many restored half-timbered houses along Wasserzucht, a street in the town centre, which gives Wunstorf a distinctive character. The pedestrian zone combines historic charm with modern variety. The collegiate church is one of the most significant late Romanesque church buildings in Lower Saxony. It is distinct from the town church on the market square, which is open to visitors Tuesday to Thursday from 3 to 5 pm and Friday from 10 am to 12 noon.

Walks and guided discoveries

If you would like to explore Wunstorf on your own, there are three walks to choose from. Each takes about 20 minutes and starts and ends at the town hall. Two lead through the old town, while the third goes up to the Stiftshügel (Collegiate Hill). The different destinations make it easy to decide whether you would rather focus your walk on the historic town centre or the hill.

For a guided exploration, groups can book town tours, tower climbs and special tours individually, for dates of their choice. Town tours pass through the historic centre, the restored Wasserzucht, the abbey, the Ratskeller and other attractions. A guided tour can therefore be a good addition if you would like to discover several aspects of the town’s history together.

Aue Meadows and Getting There

The landscape also shapes your stay: the Aue is a tributary of the Leine that flows through Wunstorf, and its meadows are a defining feature of the townscape. From Wunstorf, the Aue is navigable year-round, with a few towpath sections. If you’re interested in the area’s waterways, you can include them in your holiday plans alongside the walks and cultural sites.

Wunstorf lies about 20 kilometres northwest of Hanover and can be reached via the A 2 motorway, the B 441 and B 442 federal highways, and by train. When looking for a holiday apartment in Wunstorf, you can first plan your stay around your interests: would you like to make time for local history and culture, are you interested in the aviation exhibition, or are you particularly drawn to the Aue? These experiences offer different reasons to choose Wunstorf as a holiday destination, without any one accommodation or amenity needing to determine your choice.

Other destinations in this overview: Isernhagen Kircher Bauerschaft, Hemmingen, Burgwedel, Mardorf, Barsinghausen, Steinhude, Isernhagen, Altwarmbüchen.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Hanover Region.