Day seminar on the Sachsenwald: Discover the history of the forest!

Day seminar on the Sachsenwald: Discover the history of the forest!

On Saturday, September 6th, an exciting day-long seminar about the Sachsenwald will take place at the Duchy of Lauenburg Foundation. From 9 a.m. onwards, interested participants will be introduced to the history and current significance of this unique forest area. Professor Dr. Oliver Auge from CAU Kiel will lead the event and help to awaken fascination for the Sachsenwald, which, at around 70 square kilometers, is the largest contiguous forest area in Schleswig-Holstein.

The Sachsenwald, located east of Hamburg and in the southwest of the Duchy of Lauenburg district, has an eventful history. The region is known not only for its impressive nature, but also for the historical conflicts over timber resources, forest grazing rights and hunting privileges that date back to the Middle Ages. Emperor Wilhelm I gave the forest to his chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, on June 24, 1871, and the Sachsenwald is now majority owned by Bismarck's descendants. The forest combines a rich historical background with the charm of a popular local recreation area that is still very popular today.

The event in detail

A total of five speakers will speak at the seminar: in addition to Professor Dr. Oliver Auge, these are Professor Dr. Joachim Reichstein, Dr. Franziska Hormuth, Dr. Ulf Morgenstern and Dr. Lutz Fähser. An exciting bus excursion to the Sachsenwald, which ends at around 6 p.m., rounds off the seminar and gives participants the opportunity to experience the beautiful nature up close.
The cooperation partners Lauenburg Academy of the Duchy of Lauenburg Foundation and the Department of Regional History of the CAU Kiel have joined forces to make this informative experience possible.

Anyone who would like to take part in this unique seminar should register in good time. Registration is possible at info@stiftung-herzogtum.de or by phone at 04542-87000. The participation fee is 45 euros and is a fair price for the amount of expertise and experiences on offer.

The Sachsenwald in a historical context

The Sachsenwald, which is also considered the remnant of a once extensive jungle, is not only a biologically valuable area. The region looks back on an ancient history; The first human settlements existed as early as the 4th century BC. Megalithic graves testify to early historical settlement, while the Saxon Forest itself was a sought-after resource over the centuries. In 1231, Albert of Saxony's ownership of the forest was confirmed, and in 1420 the Hanseatic cities of Hamburg and Lübeck gained the right to use the forest. These historical aspects are discussed in detail during the seminar and underline how important the Sachsenwald is both geographically and historically.

The region is still home to numerous wild animals and a popular place for nature lovers. The fact that an interesting mix of history and nature meets in the Sachsenwald is also evident in the nature reserves of the Bille Valley, which is registered as an FFH area. This helps preserve this great piece of nature.
The event on September 6th is an excellent opportunity to find out more about this fascinating forest and its importance for the region.