When in Wolfsburg, the city and area I grew up in, I like to ride around in the former East German parts as they are way prettier then the former West German parts, at least in this region. I found the river Elbe and its so called Ebtalauen and Elbauen with its historic and well preserved Hansestädte, a ancient trade union of cities located at importand river and ocean locations, of particular beauty and interest. Whenever I can I take the picturesque river ferries to cross the river Elbe.

All the sightseeing has been done riding on the motorcycle through the towns, cities and villages not getting off for walk arounds much. All restaurants, bars and cafes were still closed due to the Corona situation.

1st day. I started the trip from Wolfsburg the Volkswagenstadt with some industrial views and a pretty castle, then went to the beautiful history city Stendal then following the river Elbe north exploring the area around awesome historic Hansestadt Werben crossing the river Elbe by means of river ferry to visit the unique located historic Hansestadt town of Havelberg where the river Havel meets the river Elbe. All three cities and villages would warrant a walk around exploration by itself, they are just that pretty.

From here I followed the river Elbe south passing the absolutly stunning historic city, Kaiser und Hansestatd of Tangermünde where you could spend easily a whole day walking around within superbly preserved historic architecture starting from the 1650's.

Further south, just before the city of Magdeburg I was leaving the river Elbe before the city of Burg heading through the pretty town of Haldensleben toward the village of Hötensleben were a part of "The Wall" is on display as a memorial, as well as the open air coal mining pit with some antique machinery on display.

Then on to the Elm hills between Braunschweig and Königslutter for some twisties then finally returning to Wolfsburg ending a 400 km, 7 hour riding day.

2nd day. Again starting in Wolfsburg heading through the villages toward the city of Magdeburg exploring briefly the city of Magdeburg itself I have visited the first time in the early 1980's.

I went on heading south along the Elbe to the pretty town of Schönebeck with two bridges over the river Elbe, the small village of Glinde located directly at the bank the Elbe and Pömmelte, a small village with a Stone Age ring monument similar to Stonehenge, before returning for a more detailed ride around sightseeing exploration of Magdeburg.

Magdeburg is a big city and has a lot of socialistic architecture. Due to heavy bombing damage during the war it was rebuilt in modern fashion. Big cities have a lot of traffic but due to the Corona situation it was not to bad. I just wanted to see the modern socialistic architecture mixed with the old buildings still standing. Unique mixture.

After Magdeburg I returned back to Wolfsburg ending a 280 km, 5 hour riding day.

The first day is absolutly awesome and can be split into two easily. Magdeburg is only something to see if you like to see socialistic architecture.

I put some images up to my instagram account #knorkemopete.

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www.andreaswmatthes.com living in Friuli, Northern Italy