28.03.2025 • Linh
Why is the Sachsenwald (Saxony Forest) in Schleswig-Holstein? And what does it have to do with Hamburg?
A reminder of how times, names, and borders change
If you’ve ever heard of or wandered through the peaceful trails of Sachsenwald, you might wonder why a forest named after the state of Saxony is nestled in Schleswig-Holstein. Or at least that was one of the very first thoughts I had upon learning of it.
As it turns out, the story begins long before our modern borders were drawn. In early medieval times, the region was part of the Duchy of Saxony, a vast territory stretching far beyond the Saxony we know today. Although times changed and borders shifted, the name “Sachsenwald” remained, now a leafy reminder of a much larger Saxony and time long past.
Fast forward to the 19th century, and the forest took on a new role in history. In 1871, Emperor Wilhelm I gifted the Sachsenwald to Otto von Bismarck, Germany’s first Chancellor, as a thank-you for his role in unifying Germany. The connection to Hamburg? Bismarck had strong ties to the city and its people, and today, Sachsenwald’s proximity makes it a favorite retreat for Hamburgers seeking an escape from the metropolitan hustle and bustle into nature.
For me, the forest’s resilient existence through centuries, from medieval Saxony to modern Schleswig-Holstein, feels like a comforting constant against the ephemeral world of human changes and transformations. Wandering through the peaceful forest, I can’t help but think: „Wow, if only I could talk with trees, I wonder what fascinating stories I could hear from these ancient time witnesses.“
Strolling through the forest, hence, feels not like just any usual walk, but a journey through time. Among the towering trees and quiet streams, I’m covered in a sense of calm and comfort, but also wonder. I marvel at the way nature works, the thousand beautiful shades of green and gold in the leaves, which almost sparkle like gold dust particles in the sunshine. I marvel at the abundance and varieties of mushrooms in season, and the traces of wild animals left behind. Sachsenwald surely weaves history and nature into one beautiful tapestry.
So, lace up your shoes, step into the time machine, and enjoy this timeless gem right on Hamburg’s doorstep 🙂
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