Want to know a secret about this seemingly ordinary railway bridge? It played an inadvertent role in a landscape conceived during a dark chapter of history. We are standing before the Hermann-Löns-Park railyway bridge. It’s more than just a way for trains to pass. It’s a silent observer of the park’s evolution.
The Hermann-Löns-Park itself is an 86-hectare park. It connects the Eilenriede and Tiergarten forest areas. The park aimed to create an idealized Lower Saxon landscape. It features native plants and landforms.
Interestingly, the park’s creation dates back to the 1930s. It was designed as a “Volkspark” or people’s park. Its original design has largely been preserved. The park is named after Hermann Löns. He was a popular poet associated with the heathlands and with Hannover.
The Hermann-Löns-Park’s location is quite interesting. It borders the Kleefeld, Kirchrode, and Anderten districts. It also touches the Eilenriede and Tiergarten forests. The railway line Hannover–Berlin borders the park to the north. The Guterumgehungsbahn Hannover borders it to the southeast. That is where our Hermann-Löns-Park railyway bridge comes into play.
Geologically, the area is defined by marl rock. The impermeable clay soils led to the formation of a fen. This fen was rich in nutrients. This contrasts with the raised bogs north of Hannover.
The nutrient-rich subsoil allows for diverse plant and animal life. The area’s ecological value was recognized in the 19th century. The park is home to 48 bird species. It also houses 8 native bat species.
The park’s design features a variety of landscapes. These include water areas, forest ponds, open meadows, and forests. It was designed to resemble a Lower Saxon floodplain. Valuable biotope types characterize it. These include reed beds and sedge areas.
During the park’s creation, the existing Annateich pond was enlarged. It was divided into two halves. This creates the impression of a lakeland area. The Kiebitzberg is a subtle elevation. It features a birch grove on the park’s north side. Here, you can find ice-age erratic boulders.
The park’s plants are predominantly in their natural locations. Large conifers were not planted. They are not typical of Northwest German landscapes. Instead, you’ll find oak, linden, hornbeam, ash, alder, willow, and birch trees. Shrubs include hazel, elder, buckthorn, and bird cherry.
The park’s design connects to the Heimatschutz movement. This movement focused on regional identity and preservation. It is a testament to landscape design during the Nazi era. “Foreign” plants were avoided. This was to achieve a “down-to-earth” design based on Willy Lange’s model. The park became an ideologically compliant green space. Naming it after Hermann Löns allowed the Nazi authorities to co-opt this popular figure.
During its construction in the 1930s, the park received buildings in the style of an open-air museum. Old buildings typical of Lower Saxony were moved here. A historic building group was created. It is located in a central spot within the park near the Annateich. The half-timbered buildings evoke the impression of an old farmstead.
Now, consider this: The Hermann-Löns-Park railyway bridge we see before us silently witnessed the park’s creation. It saw the ideological motivations that shaped its design. It stands as a reminder of how even beautiful landscapes can be influenced by the currents of history.
During the air raids on Hannover in World War II, about 350 bombs fell in the park. They were intended for the Guterumgehungsbahn Hannover. Even today, bomb craters are visible. They are circular depressions in the meadows and lawns.
So, as you look at the Hermann-Löns-Park railyway bridge, remember its silent role. It connects not just places but also eras. It quietly observes the ever-evolving story of this unique park.