The Saxon Forest

Schleswig-Holstein's largest interconnected forest area

image author: Rüdiger Poweleit

The presently ca. 6.000 hectare large Saxon forest forms the rest of a primeval forest, which reached from the Baltic Sea to Hamburg and Lauenburg in prehistoric times.

Prehistoric monuments from the Bronze Age as well as Iron Age are aplenty. The 'Hamburger reindeer hunter' left traces stemming from the time around 12000 BC.

The Teutons lived there where water and forest were to their liking.
Tacitus (Roman historian)
The Limes Saxoniae formed the natural border and separated the Slaws from the Teutons in the Middle Ages.

Today the landscape protection area Sachsenwald-Billetal (the green lung) is a popular recreation area. There are numerous trails for hiking or cycling available. Riding paths are sign-posted.

The Saxon Forest is tightly connected with the name Bismarck.
After the founding of the 2nd Reich Emperor William I transferred the Saxon Forest to the Reich Chancellor Otto von Bismarck.
A museum and the mausoleum are situated in Friedrichsruh.