ニーンシュテットの湖・トップ12

Between 1550 and 1680, around 400 people were executed in the County of Schaumburg for alleged witchcraft. The witch trials, which claimed the lives of both women and men, were conducted in the villages by the local courts. In Schaumburg, some judges, at the request of the accused, ordered the so-called water ordeal to be carried out "to ascertain the truth," because according to traditional beliefs, water repelled evil, meaning witches would float and innocent people would sink. During the water ordeal, the accused were tied to a rope and lowered into the water before the eyes of the judges and numerous onlookers, invariably producing the desired result. The records cynically note: "swims like a goose." The accused then usually resigned themselves to their fate and gave the "confession" required for execution. The two witches' ponds east of Schaumburg Castle are historically documented and were very likely the actual site of these terrifying spectacles. They lie somewhat hidden in the forest, about 50 meters below the path.

The fire pond on the Mühlenbach stream lies idyllically in the Bückeberg hills and is a tranquil, natural spot amidst the wooded hills. Fed by the Mühlenbach, the pond blends harmoniously into its surroundings and is now an integral part of the landscape of this region. Surrounded by trees and gentle hills, it invites hikers and walkers to take a short break and offers a peaceful place to enjoy nature. The pond owes its name to its original function as a water reservoir for firefighting. In times before centralized water supplies, such fire ponds were of great importance, especially in heavily forested areas. They provided readily available water for firefighting in emergencies, thus contributing to the protection of the surrounding villages and forests. Today, the fire pond is primarily of ecological and scenic significance. It provides habitat for amphibians, insects, and waterfowl and contributes to the diversity of flora and fauna in the Bückeberg hills. At the same time, it is a quiet meeting point in the region's network of hiking trails and uniquely combines nature, history and recreation in one of the most beautiful forest landscapes of the Schaumburg region.

The NSG is embedded in a circular path from the castle through the park past the mausoleum into the NSG Hofwiesenteiche. There are benches and interesting bodies of water here, some of which merge into other biotopes.

The nature reserve is characterized by numerous fish ponds, reed beds, marsh forests, fallow land and grassland. These habitats, which are characteristic of the area, provide habitats for numerous animal and plant species in need of protection. The wetland is of supra-regional importance as a resting, breeding and feeding habitat and as a location for endangered plant species and plant communities. (Source: https://www.nlwkn.niedersachsen.de/naturschutzgebiete/-44757.html)

Great for a short round

Two beautiful small ponds with the opportunity to rest on a small bench directly by the water.

Waterlogged little pond. Well, just a pond. Used to be better maintained

A putrid smell was in the air.