That is why there is a pyramid and a temple in the middle of the forest in Lower Saxony

When we hear the word "pyramid," most of us probably immediately think of Egypt , or perhaps the Mayan pyramids in Mexico . Yet there are pyramids in Germany too. A miniature pyramid, for example, stands in Lower Saxony , surrounded by forest.

It's not the only local attraction, but one of many along the 2.5-kilometer-long Laves Cultural Trail in Holle, about 50 kilometers southeast of the Lower Saxony state capital of Hanover . This is what the pyramid is all about, and you can look forward to these other highlights along the nature trail.

This unusual pyramid in Lower Saxony doesn't appear quite as unexpectedly in the forest as you might initially think: It's part of the so-called Laves Cultural Trail in the community of Holle, which has a population of around 7,000. Behind the name lies a 2.5-kilometer-long, cultural-historical circular trail at Derneburg Castle.

The Laves Cultural Trail is a circular route around Derneburg Castle, which is also worth seeing.

Source: IMAGO/Panthermedia

The path not only leads through beautiful forests, but also to such unusual structures—for a German forest—as the pyramid and a Greek temple. They are part of a unique landscape garden whose origins date back to the 19th century.

At that time, Count Ernst of Münster acquired Derneburg Castle and commissioned the architect Georg Ludwig Friedrich Laves to create an English landscape garden around the castle. Remains of this garden still survive today.

In our WhatsApp channel, you'll find exclusive travel tips, unusual destinations, and affordable travel deals. Want to be notified of important news immediately? Activate the bell in the channel and be notified of new posts.

To understand why buildings like a temple were built in the landscape garden, it is important to know one thing: In the era of Classicism, around 1800, antiquity was suddenly seen again as a pioneer of cultural history, and everything that had to do with Greece was fashionable.

This trend also affected architecture. Instead of the curves and ornamentation of the Baroque, basic forms and minimalist decorations were in demand – as in the Greek and Egyptian styles, among others. This led to the buildings around Derneburg Castle, which you can still admire today.

Considering that the oldest pyramid in Giza, Egypt, is 136 meters high, the Pyramid of Holle seems tiny in comparison—it measures only 11 meters. Nevertheless, it is worth a visit, and its shape is unmistakable. And like its Egyptian counterparts, this pyramid also served the purpose of burying the dead. That is, it was built as a mausoleum.

Not only the count is buried in the pyramid.

Source: imago stock&people

Laves erected it in 1839 as a "dignified grave" for the late Count Ernst of Münster. This was his opportunity to finally create an Egyptian pyramid in the landscape garden.

He actually adopted numerous elements from Egyptian traditions, such as an Egyptian cove at the entrance, while other features prove where the pyramid truly stands. The door is adorned with the coat of arms of Münster, and the conspicuous cross above the entrance clearly marks the mausoleum pyramid as a Christian burial site. Inside, not only the count found his final resting place, but later also his wife and the couple's daughters.

The temple was the first building to be built in the landscape park.

Source: IMAGO/Pond5 Images

The Doric temple, which can also still be admired today on the Laves Cultural Trail, was the first building in the landscape garden and was built in 1827, during the count's lifetime. You can recognize the typical Greek architecture with its articulated structure and bulky columns. After its completion, people called the temple the "Tea Temple" because the count liked to receive his visitors there. The temple provided a beautiful vantage point from which one could overlook the gardens.

The pyramid and the temple aren't the only sights along the cultural trail. A visit to the glasshouse, built by Laves as a greenhouse for the palace's gardens, is particularly recommended. This building, too, is neoclassical in style, with its three sections and now houses the cozy "Café im Glashaus" at its heart. Next to it is the former wine house, now an exhibition space, and an event space in the former fig house.

Also worth seeing is the pedestrian bridge in the landscape park. Laves once constructed three bridges, but they were all destroyed over time. The current bridge was reconstructed in 1992, but with its beautifully curved shape, it differs significantly from the original model.

Derneburg Castle itself is also open to visitors. There, you can admire exhibitions, most notably those by the American art collector Andrew Hall, who acquired the castle in 2006. There are also exhibitions by artists from all over the world.

Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for all the top travel destinations at reisereporter , and the best travel deals on our deals page .

travel reporter