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Leave the turmoil of the big city behind you and come into the Alte Land. Not far from Hamburg, divided just by the wide running Elbe, lays a quiet oasis. The mild climate is a surprise because the rough North-sea is not far. So it was possible to create the biggest self-contained fruit-cultivation Germanys, surrounded by meadows and endless waterways.
Every spring, 10 million fruit trees transform the landscape into a sea of blossoms and surround it with a white-pink shimmer. In the warm summer sunshine cherries, apples, pears and plums are ripening.
The apple, known and loved for centuries is the center of attention. He has the biggest harvest quota. He is so important for the Altlaender that they have choosen the apple as their distinctive county sign.
The Dutch, known for their dike building skills, came in the 12. century into the Alte Land. With their help it was finally possible to drain the marshes and so create fertile soil. Windmills, small bridges and the characteristic building style of the long drawn ribbon-villages still tell the tale of their Dutch forefathers. The picture shows the old Luehe ferry. She lies now as a museum-ship in the small port of Steinkirchen.
The mills on the dike. Today they are milling again and they remind us as so many other things here of the 'good old time'. The mills carry romantic names like Venti Amica (the wind's girlfriend is in Hollern-Twielenfleth) and Aurora in Borstel. The mills name Aurora comes from Stade's first swedish general gouverneurs granddaughter, the beautiful as well as clever Aurora von Koenigsmarck. She became later the lover of Saxony's August the Strong.
The Hogendiek-bridge over the Luehe in Steinkirchen, was build for pedestrians in 1975 in the old Netherland style - since then a landmark of the Alte Land.
19. century restored town-houses at the 'small side' in Borstel.
One of the most magnificent Alte Land showcases: bloomimg japanese cherries in front of the St. Nikolai church in Borstel, whose slim tower reaches 41 metres.
Great splendour-gates decorating the scenery in the Alte Land.
The Altlaender fruit-farmers exhibition stands are very tempting. Here you can always buy fresh fruit directly from the producer.
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