“Seventeenth-century beginnings!” That’s the unexpected origin of Melchiorshausen. It sits nestled in Weyhe, a municipality south of Bremen. Today, we’re standing in a place with roots reaching back to a humble shepherd’s settlement.
Melchiorshausen wasn’t always the size it is now. Imagine a few simple dwellings. These first arose from a sheep farm belonging to the village of Leeste. These settlements slowly transformed over time.
Fast forward to 1773. The Curhannoverian national survey marked “Melchershausen” on its maps. Farms dotted the landscape around today’s Heideweg. Another cluster of farms was located near the cooperage. Coopers were known as “Bötjer” in the local dialect.
Until March 1, 1974, Melchiorshausen belonged to the independent municipality of Leeste. Leeste also included Erichshof, Horden, Angelse, and Hagen. But things changed. Kirchweyhe, Sudweyhe, and Leeste merged. They formed the unified municipality of Weyhe. Melchiorshausen became part of Weyhe.
Today, Melchiorshausen boasts a population of approximately 1,782 residents. This figure dates back to 2016. It lies about 12 kilometers south of Bremen. The village sits at an elevation of 7 meters above sea level.
The Bundesstraße 6, a major federal highway, cuts through Melchiorshausen. This road links Bremen to the north with Hanover to the south. This makes Melchiorshausen easily accessible.
The landscape around Melchiorshausen is quite special. South of the village, near Syke’s Barrien district, lies the Melchiorshauser Fuhren. This is a protected area. Locals also call it Streitheide. The shooting range and clubhouse for the shooting club are located within it.
The climate here is moderate. It is influenced by moist north-westerly winds from the North Sea. The average annual air temperature ranges from 8.5 to 9.0 degrees Celsius. Rainfall averages around 700 mm per year. Between May and August, expect about 20 to 25 summer days.
Melchiorshausen has a few notable associations. Louise Ebert was born here in 1873. She was the wife of Friedrich Ebert, Germany’s first president. Also, Hauptmann Tim was born in Melchiorshausen in 1654. He was a settlement captain and local brewer.
Melchiorshausen is also home to several active clubs. The Schützenverein Melchiorshausen shooting club was founded in 1900. The volunteer fire brigade was founded in 1909. And there’s the TSV Melchiorshausen. This is a sports club with football, tennis, and table tennis divisions. The TSV Melchiorshausen’s football team once played in the Landesliga Niedersachsen/Bremen.
Melchiorshausen may be a quiet village, but it has a rich history and community spirit. It is conveniently located near Bremen, making it an ideal place to live. So next time you pass through, remember the sheep farm and the coopers. They laid the foundation for the village we see today.