Remember Curau’s name. It echoes through centuries. Curau, a village, now part of Stockelsdorf, boasts a history stretching back to 1210. That year, Graf Albrecht II gifted Curau to Neumünster Abbey. But Curau existed even before that documented moment.
Let’s step back to 1259. Curau’s church appears in records. Bishop Gerold dedicated it. This act links it to the Vicelin churches. These churches marked early Christianization efforts.
In 1316, Curau changed hands again. Graf Johann III and Graf Gerhard III became its new owners. A significant split occurred in 1392. Herzog Gerhard VI and Graf Nikolaus divided Curau. They sold half to Lübeck’s Holy Spirit Hospital. This part became known as Kurau later on with a “K”. The other half went to Ahrensbök Abbey. This part remained Curau with a “C”. This division lasted until 1937.
Pause for a moment. Imagine the implications of this split. One part of Curau belonged to Lübeck. The other to Ahrensbök. This created separate identities. These identities shaped the village’s future.
Consider the church in Curau. By 1683, the first church was in disrepair. A new building was needed. The cornerstone was laid on March 27, 1683. But disaster struck on July 24, 1827. A massive fire engulfed Curau. Twenty-two buildings burned. The church was among them. But the people of Curau rebuilt. The new church was dedicated on April 5, 1829.
Think about Curau’s commitment to faith. Even after a devastating fire, the community rebuilt their church. They reopened it quickly. That shows resilience.
From 1818, Curau had two schools. Before that, there was only one school. It was run by the church. This school had 125 students. Sixty came from the Lübeck part of Curau. School operations ceased in Curau in 1971. Children now attend schools in Stockelsdorf.
Curau was once a farming village. It was the oldest and largest village in the municipality. Today, agriculture has declined. Few farms remain.
Curau borders the Curauer Moor. This moor is a natural paradise. It spans 200 hectares. Until after World War II, people harvested peat here.
Around 1250, the Buchwaldts built a robber baron castle. It was located at the edge of the moor. It was named Sconenkamp. Lübeck forces destroyed this castle in 1364. The Buchwaldts were driven out.
Curau today is a well-maintained village. It has about 600 residents. The village square serves as a central point. It features tall trees and an avenue. The village includes a park-like cemetery. Curau also has modern infrastructure. It offers wastewater disposal, gas, and water supply. There are bus connections and modern street lighting. Curau even boasts a golf course.
Curau remains the oldest village in Stockelsdorf. It has seen division and fire. It has transformed from agriculture to a modern village. Today, Curau stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of its people.