Heidekreis, Administrative district in Lower Saxony, Germany.
Heidekreis forms a district in Lower Saxony that covers large stretches of heath and woodland between Hamburg and Hannover, with around 140,000 residents. The district town of Soltau sits at the center of this thinly populated area, where villages, pine forests, and open moorland shape the surroundings.
The district was created in 1977 when the former Fallingbostel and Soltau districts were merged, forming the administrative structure that exists today. In 2011, the area received the name Heidekreis, which better reflects the landscape and identity of the region.
The German Tank Museum in Munster and Dat ole Hus open-air museum in Wilsede present regional military history and traditional rural life.
Roads run through flat terrain with few inclines, while walking trails cross the heathland and remain accessible from most villages. Visitors exploring the smaller towns often find guesthouses and farm shops selling local goods.
Old Jewish cemeteries stand in Ahlden, Rethem, Soltau, and Walsrode, marking the presence of communities that once lived here. These quiet sites often lie outside the village centers and are maintained by local associations.
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