The best traffic-free bike rides around Colbitz

A connection between the Mittelland Canal and the Elbe-Havel Canal via the Elbe was planned in the 1920s and construction began in 1934. In 1942, work was stopped due to the war and was not resumed after World War II. From 1993, a new plan was made. The existing bridge remnants were blown up and the current canal bridge was completed from 1998 to 2003, as the longest canal bridge in Europe with 918 m. The Rothensee ship lift, the Rothensee lock and the Niegripp lock create the connection between the canal and the Elbe. More info: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanalbr%C3%BCcke_Magdeburg

The development of water transport technology becomes clear during a visit to the historic Rothensee ship lift. In 1938, the ship lift was put into operation. Leipzig designers opted at the time for a principle that had not yet been practically applied anywhere for a structure of this magnitude: A lift whose trough rested on two movable floats. With the help of the water-filled trough, which together with the two floats and the support structures has a total weight of around 5,400 tons, ships could thus "descend" from the Mittellandkanal and towards the Elbe. Depending on the water level of the Elbe, a gradient between 11 and 18 meters is compensated. With a trough length of 85 meters, a width of 12 meters, and a water depth in the trough of 2.5 meters, the dimensions are, however, too small for today's large motor cargo ships. For this reason, the ship lift was decommissioned in 2006. Since then, the state capital Magdeburg, supported by various stakeholders and with broad public approval, has been committed to its seasonal continued operation. With success: Since the summer of 2013, the ship lift has been seasonally operated again for tourist purposes. The ship lift in Magdeburg-Rothensee is a unique monument due to its technology and history. It is a brilliant design, its construction was an engineering masterpiece. It is the second oldest of only four ship lifts still in operation in Germany and the only two-float ship lift in Germany still in operation. A visit is worthwhile for this reason alone, as the immediate proximity of the state-of-the-art Sparschleuse to the ship lift, as a historical technical monument, makes the developments in water transport technology visible. Data and facts: Usable length: 85 meters Usable width: 12 meters Lift height: 10.45 to 18.46 meters depending on the Elbe water level Water depth in the trough: 2.58 meters Usable size: 82 meters x 9.5 meters x 2 meters Total moving weight: 5,400 tons https://www.magdeburg-tourist.de/Tourismus-Freizeit/System/Schiffshebewerk/

Currently being restored

was used as a prison in the 19th century

The historic Haldensleben town hall is a noteworthy, listed, two-story building on the east side of the market square in Haldensleben. With its distinctive neoclassical facade, it shapes the historic center of the city. A building from 1579 previously stood on this site, which is still remembered today by a relief plaque with a coat of arms. The current building was originally erected in the Baroque style between 1701 and 1703. The town hall received its current appearance through a renovation between 1815 and 1823. It has an eleven-bay facade and a three-bay central projection with a gable. In 1910, an extension was added on the east side, whose staircase features noteworthy Art Nouveau glazing. From the year 2000 onwards, historic half-timbered houses located to the north were also integrated into the complex. At the entrance, there is a plaque from 1905, created by the sculptor Rudolf Uffrecht for the 100th anniversary of Friedrich Schiller's death. Directly in front of the town hall on the market square stands the statue of the "Riding Roland". It is the city's landmark and symbolizes the old market and town rights. A historic crossroads and legal stone is the "Breite Stein", which is also located on the square in front of the building. https://pages.destination.one/de/niedersachsen-contenthub/streaming/detail/POI/p_100235502/rathaus-haldensleben

The Roland is the famous landmark of the town of Haldensleben and is considered an absolute specialty, as it is the only equestrian Roland in Europe. In contrast to the mostly standing Roland statues, this monument represents a creative highlight of Renaissance Roland sculpture. The current copy stands directly in front of the town hall on the market square of Haldensleben. The heavily weathered original from 1528 is protected in the Haldensleben Museum. In the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period, Rolande were considered symbols of urban rights and freedoms, such as market rights and their own jurisdiction. Originally, the stone figure was even rotatably mounted on its pedestal. In addition, the rider – unlike the rather symbolic, rigid figures of the Middle Ages – has individual facial features. It is assumed that the depiction is based on contemporary imperial depictions of Maximilian I. https://www.haldensleben.de/Kultur-Tourismus/Tourismus/Sehensw%C3%BCrdigkeiten/

The Protestant Church of St. Marien in Haldensleben was built on the foundations of older church buildings. A church already stood here before the destruction of the town of Haldensleben by troops of the Magdeburg Archbishop Wichmann in 1181. This one was also destroyed in 1181. Together with the reconstruction of the town, the construction of a new church began in 1223. Starting in 1375, the construction of a three-nave church in the Gothic style began. However, during a town fire in 1661, this building was also largely destroyed. The reconstruction was completed in 1675. The church had two towers and otherwise essentially corresponded to its current form. After the collapse of the southern tower, the northern tower was also demolished in 1808. A new tower was erected starting in 1812. In the southern church wall are the gravestones of the well-known Haldensleben mayors Joachim and Sebastian Alstein. The altar and pulpit were newly created in Baroque forms after the town fire in 1666. https://www.haldensleben.de/Kultur-Tourismus/Tourismus/Sehensw%C3%BCrdigkeiten/

The Stendaler Turm was first mentioned in 1330. It is the second surviving city gate in Haldensleben. Although it was the youngest part of the fortification, an exact date of origin is not known. Architectural elements, such as the now bricked-up slit windows and remnants of the battlements, also point to its medieval origin. The coats of arms of Mayor Meyer and Sebastian Alstein were added to the wall on the city side during the restoration work in 1593. When the tower was no longer used for its original purpose, it temporarily served as a prison. This demonstrably happened in the years from 1848 to 1886. Both the gate passage and the gate windows were given their current appearance in 1988/89. https://www.haldensleben.de/Kultur-Tourismus/Tourismus/Sehensw%C3%BCrdigkeiten/