most injustice begins on a small scale – which one can combat with courage and conviction
Roman Herzog (former German president) May 1997

A case in point being the fate and conduct of Wilhelm Aron, the only Jew who returned back to his home town after these events.

Origins

The first recorded Jew in Scharmbeck was Levi Hertz who in 1732 received a Geleitbrief (literally a safe-conduct letter, entitling him to protection in the community). In 1756 or 1757 he purchased a 150 m² plot of land on the road between Lintel and Penningbütel to be used as a Jewish graveyard (source: Obenaus). According to other sources (Staatsarchiv Stade), in 1731 Levi Herz and Moses Hein (in Osterholz) as well as Cahn Meyer and David Meyer (in Scharmbeck) received “Schutzbriefe” (letters of protection) from the local community.

The Jewish community in Osterholz and Scharmbeck was officially established on 1st December 1768. It was comprised of 4 families with 18 individuals as well as a servant and four maids. The families of Levi Hertz (from 1735, according to the city chronicle), Philipp Moses (from 1753), as well as Leffmann Moses Meyer (from 1758) lived in Scharmbeck. The family of Salomon Levi (from 1761) lived in Osterholz.

In 1772 the Davidsohn family founded a textile and clothing shop on the Obernstrasse (subsequently renamed Poststrasse). The family probably officially adopted their surname sometime between 1803 and 1813, when they were obliged to do so during the French occupation. In 1780 Jakob Nachmann also received a “letter of protection” with authority to set up an abattoir in the Heidkamp area. He had previously worked for Moses Hein in Scharmbeck for three years (source: Menkhoff). In 1796, the “protection” previously afforded to Levi Lefmann was transferred to Heine Lefmann Goldberg of Scharmbeck. (source: Lower Saxony State archives)

Growth

Up until 1875, the local Jewish community grew steadily, then accounting for 3% of the local population, higher than anywhere in the world today, other than Israel. This growth occurred for a number of reasons:

Up until the mid 19th century, Jews were prevented from working in many professions. They were however allowed to work as both textile merchants and butchers. The region was particularly known for its textile industry as well as its excellent livestock and cattle. Up until the late 19th century, the draper’s guild as well as the autumn cattle market (dating back to 1748) were well known beyond the local region. Additionally, after 1849, quite some Jews settled from neighbouring Bremen as a result of anti-Semitic attitudes there.

In 1803, during the French occupation by Napoleonic troops, many of the Jews became responsible for supplying food. These included: Hyam Marks from Bremerlehe, Jakob Lachmann, Levi Lefmann, Lüder Hartmann (Koppelstrasse) as well as Oppenheimer (later Markus Kayser). Between 1804 and 1809, the Jewish community employed Benjamin Jacob as school teacher, choirmaster and ritual slaughterer; he lived in the synagogue. In 1811 Salomon Meyer received a “Schutzbrief” (so called “letter of protection”) from Regional Mayor Eickenrodt. By 1815 the local community was comprised of seven families – almost 50 individuals. Meyer Aaron was both community leader and school teacher. He was succeeded by Nathan Cohen in 1824, whose title was Jewish community superintendent for the Duchy of Bremen and Weser district (source: Menkhoff).

By 1829, 101 Jews from 12 families lived in Osterholz and Scharmbeck. The following lived in Scharmbeck: Abraham Heidemann, Hein Lefmann Goldberg, Salomon Meyer, the widow of Meyer Aron Aronsohn, Nachman Jakob Kugelmann, Isaac David Davidsohn, David Weinberg and Jeckel Jacob. The following lived in Osterholz: Nathan Cohen, Moses David Davidsohn, Levi Weinberg and Moritz Cohen. (source: Menkhoff)

The synagogue and school building was built in 1830 on Teichstrasse. The front part of the building was the school and kitchen, the rear part the synagogue, with just 12 prayer seats. The upstairs of the building contained the gallery for the women with no seats as well as an apartment where the teacher lived. In 1830, the 3rd Jewish district of the Elbe-Weser headquartered in Rotenburg dissolved and amalgamated with the 2nd district headquartered in Osterholz, grouping together Ottersberg, Lilienthal, Osterholz and Ritterhude. (source: Obenaus) Moses Davidsohn became the district director, succeeded by Heidemann, from Osterholz. (source: Menkhoff) In 1841, Salomon Goldberg from Scharmbeck received his Schutzbrief (letter of protection). (source: Lower Saxony State Archives)

(sources: Obenaus und Menkhoff)

By 1844 there were 210 Jewish families registered within the province Stade, 33 of these did not have a “Schutzbrief”. The Scharmbeck community included Salomon Meyer, Meyer Aaron Aaronsohn’s widow, Nachmann Jacob Kugelmann, Isaak David Davidsohn, David Weinberg, Jeckel Jacob, Abraham Heidemann and Hein Lefmann Goldberg. The Osterholz community included  Nathan Cohen, Moritz Cohen, Moses David Davidsohn as well as Levi Weinberg, additionally Philipp Samson Feist from Sandbeck. After July 1847, Jews in the Kingdom of Hannover were no longer required to pay protection tax and purchase a “Schutzbrief”. (source: Menkhoff)

The following is a copy of a financial statement prepared in 1876, by the Synagogue, indicating financial contributions to be made by members in 1877, depending on financial circumstances:

Integration

In 1881, businessman Eduard Davidsohn, of No. 159 Poststrasse, later No. 4 Poststrasse, won the title of “Scharmbecker Schützen-Vizekönig” (runner-up in the Scharmbeck shooting competition). Between 1893 and 1915 he was chosen to be senior Alderman on at least 4 occasions. (source: Menkhoff)

During WW1, two members of the Jewish community died in combat, including Ludwig Aron (b. 19.8.1892, d. 7.5.1915), elder brother of Wilhelm Aron.

Dr. Richard Cohen attended the Jewish elementary school on the Bahnhofstrasse, high school in Bremen, then studied medicine in Berlin, where he received his doctorate. In 1899 he took over the practise of the late Dr Neander in Scharmbeck at what was to become 5 Marktstrasse. Richard was very much orientated towards supporting the German “Fatherland”. He volunteered in WW1 and served as a medical officer on the French front. Awarded the Iron Cross, 1st class in 1917, he served as “Bürgervorsteher”, a civic Superintendant. In 1919 he was elected to the local council with the most votes. In 1920, the councilors selected him as Speaker.

Leopold „Leo“ Löwenstein was the cantor and full-time teacher of the Jewish community. In 1910, he was one of the founding members of the Progressive Peoples Party of Osterholz -Scharmbeck. From 1915, he served as a soldier during WW1. Besides his position as head of the Jewish community, during the 1920’s, Löwenstein was also a well respected citizen within the wider community. He was secretary of the Bürgerverein (civic association), and also author of several local history articles published in the Heimatbote (Homeland Messenger), a supplement distributed with the local Osterholzer Kreisblatt newspaper.

The Dark Years

Moritz Meibergen (1875-1933), of 90 Bahnhofstrasse, was the first Nazi victim in Osterholz-Scharmbeck. He died the day after his 58th birthday, after having been abused by the Nazi’s in Ahlhorn. He is buried in the Jewish cemetery.

During 1934, the isolation and exclusion of Jews from normal life significantly increased throughout the country. “Stürmerkästen” were installed in every town. These were used to dispense a weekly anti-Semitic newspaper called “Der Stürmer”. Owners and customers of Jewish businesses were faced with increasing repression. Boycott posters were put up in front of stores, shop windows were defaced and smashed, and customers entering and leaving the shops were photographed. The pictures, together with details including names and addresses were put into the “Stürmerkästen” to notify the locals.

In 1935, there were also reported incidences where members of the Christian faith refused to sell everyday items to the Jewish inhabitants. (source: Wildt M: Geschichte des Nationalsozialismus, 2008)

„Jews are not wanted here
A noteworthy example of this is provided in our very own Osterholz-Scharmbeck: For several days, with one exception, shops and tradesmen’s outlets have been displaying signs stating that “Jews are not wanted here”. A few of the shopkeepers and tradesmen who, up until now, had had reservations about putting up the posters, have now become more prudent….Rejoice and thanks to our team spirit.…. whoever buys from a Jew is a traitor!“ (translation of an article in the Osterholzer Kreisblatt of Aug 21st 1935, cited from Chronik von Osterholz-Scharmbeck Bd. II, R. Meenkhoff, 2009)

On 1.10.1937, as a result of the boycott of Jewish businesses, the Heidemann clothes store, in existence for 86 years, was taken over or “put into Aryan hands”, henceforth known as Firma Chr. Essen. In 1938, the saw mill and chair factory owned by S Feist was taken over by businessman Heinrich Kramer of Oberneuland. In 1938 Jewish doctor, Dr Richard Cohen (of 5 Marktstrasse), was forbidden from practising his profession. He died mentally broken and destitute on 8th April in Bremen. (source: Menkhoff)

In 1938, with support from the mayor and the local Nazi party, teacher and local historian Johann Segelken, published the first edition of his book “Heimatbuch” about the local community. Mention of Jews was relegated to the appendix and the contents highly insulting (see extracts).

The school chronicles written by Leo Löwenstein end in 1938 with a final remark that there were still 31 members of the community. On account of the additional charges and heavy supplemental taxes, the synagogue could not continue. Only 6 children attended religious classes (Ruth and Cläre Meyer, Sonja, Erika and Jacob Ratusch as well as Inge Cohen). As a result of the forced sale of the synagogue, Löwenstein lost his flat, after 45 years of community service and was forced to move in with relatives in Paderborn. On 16.1.1944 Löwenstein was murdered in Theresienstadt.

On the so called Kristallnacht of 9th November 1938, SA men forced their way into Jewish homes, beat up male residents injuring many severely. Alfred, Flora and Henny Cohen were driven into the basement of their house at 47 Bremer Strasse (west of the railway crossing) where glass jars were being thrown and smashed around them. In 2001 Annelie Müller and Otto Arnholt (were living in the “Judenhaus” at 20 Börderstrasse on the Kristallnacht) could still remember the names of the SA men taking part. (source: Beer)

At the end of 1938, immediately after the November pogroms, restrictions tightened considerably for Jews, throughout the country. These included curfews, travel restrictions as well as restrictions on purchases. Jews could not drive cars, were not allowed out between 9pm and 5am (8pm and 6pm in winter) and were only able to buy from certain shops and at specific times. In Osterholz-Scharmbeck, these shops were Pape (19 Kirchenstrasse) for groceries, Seedorf (23 Koppelstrasse) for meats and Habekost (117 Bahnhofstrasse) and later Minkwitz (51 Bremer Strasse) for bakery products.

According to the „Police ordinance regarding the identifying of Jews“ which came into effect on 1st September 1941 there were then 7 Jewish inhabitants: brothers Moritz and Wilhelm Aron, the family of Alfred and Flora Cohen with daughter Henny as well as the couple Hugo and Selma Meyer-Rosenoff. There were 13 Jews from Osterholz-Scharmbeck amongst 570 deported by train on 18th Novermber 1941 to the Minsk ghetto (Belarus) via Bremen and Hamburg:

Henny Cohen, Hohetorstraße
Clara Cohen, Lindenstraße
Hanni Meyer, geb. Cohen, Lindenstraße
Ilse and Toni Davidsohn, Bahnhofstraße
Ernst Davidsohn, Poststraße
Irma, Betty and Iwan Heidemann, Findorffstraße
Cläre, Ruth, Selma and Hugo Meyer-Rosenhoff, Bördestraße

None of them survived.

Flora and Alfred Cohen were the last members of the once numerous Cohen family left in Osterholz. They first moved to Bremen on 21.3.1942 and were later deported to Theresienstadt via Hannover. Alfred died in the camp in August 1942. Flora survived and was freed on 8th May 1945. She returned to her sister-in-law Frieda (widow of Dr Richard Cohen) and immigrated to Brazil, where her son Fritz lived. She died in 1955.

As of 30th March 1942, all Jewish homes had to been clearly identified. This only effected one residence, that of Moritz and Wilhelm Aron, the last 2 remaining Jews. On 23.7.1942 Moritz was deported to Theresienstadt and subsequently to Auschwitz, where he died. source: Menkhoff

Post-War History

Only Wilhelm Aron and his children Annelie and Wilhelm (Willi) returned to Osterholz-Scharmbeck. For many years Wilhelm Sr was actively involved in the SPD (Social Democratic Party), the trade union, fire brigade, AOK (local health service/insurance), the local council as well as the VSK (local sports association). He worked until 1960, as director of the trade union office in the building which was previously the synagogue, on the Bahnhofstrasse. Many admired his positive tolerant and forward looking attitude despite the terrible past.

The public treatment of the Jewish population, even decades later, still posed uncomfortable questions. One of various sources (such as the german Wikipedia article Geschichte von Osterholz-Scharmbeck, see section “Arbeitslosigkeit und Nationalsozialismus”) refers to the sensitivities of relatives of former Nazis, still living in the town today. For example, in 1963, a proposition to name a sports hall in honour of concentration camp survivor, Wilhelm Aron was refused but the following year, Jew baiter and ex Nazi party sympathiser Johann Segelken (see above, remarks in his 1938 book), was awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz (Federal Order of Merit). In 1967, Herr Gottschalk, director of the local district (OKD), wrote to Dr Zvi Asaria, Rabbi of Lower Saxony, advising him that the same Johann Segelken was a valuable source of information regarding the fate of Jews in the region and that he knew all about the subject. (source: letter from the OKD to the Chief Rabbi 26.1.1967, citation Murken)

History

In 1756 or 1757, Levi Hertz, the first Jew documented in official Scharmbeck records, purchased a 150 m² plot of land, an open field site, on the main road between Lintel and Penningbüttel, to be used as a Jewish cemetery. This was long before the local Jewish community was officially established in 1768. Adjacent land was purchased in 1847 and today the cemetery extends over an area of 1973 m². (source: Obenaus) There are no longer any visible graves on the original slope (The area shaded dark green on the map).

In June 1946 the local authority forced previously active Nazi party members, in particular the local party branch manager and several of “his most temperamental colleagues”, to put the cemetery in order as far as possible. (Quelle: Murken) Wilhelm Aron, the only Jew to return to Osterholz-Scharmbeck, did his best to identify the graves. However, without doubt, it was not possible to repair all stones nor place all on the correct graves. Indeed, in 1966 when Fritz Cohen visited from Brazil, he was able to show, with the help of an original photo, that the gravestone of his aunt, Mimi Cohen, had been placed on the tomb of his grandmother, Elise Cohen. (source: Beer)

Today the graveyard belongs to the National Association of Jewish Communities of Lower Saxony and is a listed monument. Klaus-Peter Schulz, former Director of the Osterholz local history museum, has studied the cemetery for many years, drawn up plans, documented the German inscriptions, photographed the Hebrew text and has undertaken considerable additional research.

Further publications regarding the cemetery:

• Ursula Siebert: Steinerne Zeugen unserer Kultur. Die alten Grabsteine in den Gemeinden des Landkreises Osterholz. Osterholz-Scharmbeck 1986.
• Jürgen Lodemann: Die drei Judenfriedhöfe im Landkreis Osterholz: Mahn- und Warnstätten zugleich. In: Heimat-Rundblick. Geschichte. Kultur. Natur. 6 (1993), Heft 24, S. 6-7.
• Zentralarchiv/ Juden in DE: Friedhöfe: Niedersachsen: Übersicht: Liste der Friedhöfe

Thank you, Jonathan Strauss, for providing this translation of the german article Jüdischer Friedhof.

They were highly respected members of the local community and included merchants as well as local politicians. The J. D. Davidsohn store on Poststraße was one of the town’s landmarks for over 160 years. Initially just selling textiles, the shop developed into a department store selling a full assortment of products.

Under Nazi rule, those members of the family that remained in the town were persecuted and deprived of their rights. At least four family members were killed in concentration camps. In many ways their historical contribution to the local community, as well as their terrible fate, is similar to that of the Cohen family (for example Clara and Siegmund Cohen), also members of the local Jewish community and subjects of an impressive book written by one of their descendants (Beer K: Ein Denkmal für Familie Cohen). As far as we are aware, there is no comparable historical documentation regarding the Davidsohn family. Their history can only be described piece meal. This presentation was facilitated by significant contributions from Bob Davidson in the US and Jonathan Strauss from Switzerland, who provided the photographs and, assisted by Klaus-Peter Schulz, gathered lots of information about their ancestors.

Roots

Forefather of the local Davidsohns was Moses Hein (died about 1792), probably a nephew of Levi Hertz, the first Jew mentioned in Scharmbeck by name. Moses married Jette David (ca. 1745-06.09.1825) and in 1772 they established a textile business in the Obernstraße (later No. 159 Poststraße and today No. 4 Poststraße) . Jette and Moses had five children:

1. Miriam Davidsohn (∼1768-14.4.1816), married to Jacob Nachmann from Fulda
2. David Moses Davidsohn (25.9.1780-8.6.1852), married to Röschen Cohn on 12.8.1806.
3. Johanne Davidsohn (∼1788-11.11.1873), married to Meyer Aronsohn. She was registered in Scharmbeck as a widow in 1830 and 1844.
4. Friederike (Fratje) Davidsohn, married to Joseph Michael Goldberger (10.3.1776-12.4.1859)
5. Frommedt (Fromet) Davidsohn (died ∼1837), married to Salomon Meyer from Eicholz (2.3.1780-9.2.1865), the latter still registered in Scharmbeck in 1830 and 1844.

Röschen and David Moses Davidsohn also had five children:

1. Moses David Davidsohn (12.8.1805-10.7.1857), married to Rebecka Fontheim from Diepholz (25.4.1800-17.6.1870)
2. Frieda Davidsohn (born ca. 1808)
3. Frodche Davidsohn (4.11.1810-1.11.1883 in Harpstedt), married to Meyer Goldschmidt
4. Isaac David Davidsohn (12.5.1813-20.4.1896), married to Jeanette Joseph (2.9.1825-15.2.1907) on 3.9.1845
5. Hein David Davidsohn (2.1.1820-8.5.1845)

While Moses David developed his business as a merchant in neighboring Osterholz, his younger brother Isaac David took over the family business in Scharmbeck. Its name „J. D. Davidsohn“ is most likely due to the spelling of Jsaac in the 19th century, possibly it could instead stand for Jette David Davidsohn and then been created during the French occupation (1803-1813), when the Jews according to French law, were obliged to choose a permanent family name (principally for taxation as well as military inscription purposes).

Family branch in Osterholz

In 1830 Moses David Davidsohn was registered as a merchant in Osterholz. In 1840 he became District Chairman of the Jewish community and in 1844 he was District Superintendent. Rebecka und Moses David Davidsohn had four children:

1. Rosalie (Roeschen) Davidsohn (11.11.1832-6.2.1919), married Abraham Levison (14.6.1814-7.10.1898) from Bückeburg on 18.6.1856. The Levisons had four children. Her daughter Emma (7.5.1857-11.7.1942) married Leopold Bauchwitz from Neustadt (Dosse) in 1883 and was murdered in Theresienstadt in 1942. Her son Louis (4.5.1859-26.10.1942) and Louis‘ wife Selly (née David) were also killed in Theresienstadt.
   Emma’s sister Bertha married Bernhard Kramer. Their son Albert (18.8.1887-6.10.1942) served as Stadtdirektor of Cologne, one of few Jewish civic officials in the period prior to the Nazis seizing power. He, along with his wife Irma, was also killed in a concentration camp.
2. Jen Davidsohn (born ca. 1837), married to David Delmonte (born ca. 1833) on 8.11.1861 in Scharmbeck.
3. Ernst Jacob Davidsohn (2.4.1841-5.3.1918), married to Betty Ephraim (17.8.1847-22.9.1927) on 21.6.1871 in Rheine.
4. Sophie Davidsohn (born 25.4.1845), married to Theodore Ephraim.

Photograph courtesy of Jonathan Strauss

Ernst Jacob took over the family firm. In 1873, the J. Davidsohn business, situated at No. 27 Hauptstraße (later Findorffstraße), was registered as one of five Jewish businesses in Osterholz. In 1878 the merchant Jacob Davidsohn was elected as Ersatzschöffe (standby juror) in the Amt Osterholz (former local authority) and in 1903 as treasurer of the Jewish community of Scharmbeck/Osterholz. Source: Menkhoff Betty and Jacob had three children:

1. Rebecca Sophie Davidsohn (born 14.10.1874), married to Max Mengers (born 21.7.1872) on 19.11.1898.
2. Ida Davidsohn (born 24.3.1876), married to Heinrich Heilbut (born 8.11.1870) from Lübeck on 5.9.1903.
3. Egon Davidsohn (born 13.4.1880), married to Toni Grappel from Untertürkheim.

We have no further information regarding the fate of these family members and the company in Osterholz.

Family branch in Scharmbeck

Jeanette und Isaac David Davidsohn stayed in Scharmbeck. In 1830 and 1844 they were among the eight Jewish families registered in the borough. (Source: Menkhoff) They had nine children:

Emil Davidsohn (7.10.1846-27.12.1914), emigrated to the United States, died in Quincy, Illinois. Julius Davidsohn (15.12.1848-15.5.1858), died at the age of nine. Rosalie Davidsohn (9.9.1850-2.8.1924), married to Alexander Löwenstein (19.8.1846-7.12.1929). Their son Carl (Karl) Löwenstein (born ca. 1879) and his family fled to Amsterdam (Scheldestraat 108) in 1933 and his son Bernd Löwenstein (born 1916) tried to emmigrate to the U.S. in 1938. Fredericke Davidsohn (22.10.1852-11.7.1925). Johanna Davidsohn (8.4.1855-13.3.1932), married to Lewin H Cohen (ca. 1842-28.9.1888). (David) Eduard Davidsohn (26.4.1857-21.12.1917), married to Ottilie Leeser (2.9.1860-7.4.1939). Sally Davidsohn (26.9.1859-ca. 1938), married to Toni Goldschmidt (27.12.1877-28.7.1942) from Harpstedt. Herman Davidson (3.2.1862-7.3.1925), married to Irene Charlotte Meyer (23.6.1874-17.1.1955) from Quincy, Illinois. His grandson, Bob Davidson, has collected many images and information for this article. Hermine Davidsohn (21.8.1863-ca. 1925), married to Jacob Leeser (born 7.7.1858 in Dülmen, d: 17.1.1916). Photographs courtesy of Bob Davidson

In 1873, the J. D. Davidsohn store was among six Jewish companies listed in Scharmbeck and in 1878 it moved into a new building, which essentially still exists. In 1892 Eduard and his brother Sally took over the company.

In 1881, as a 24-year-old, Eduard became Vize-Schützenkönig (vice-champion of the shooting club). In 1893, 1897, 1911 and 1915, he became Bürgervorsteher (local councilman), and in 1906 he was elected to the board of the newly formed Spar- und Vorschußkasse (local savings and loans bank). In 1902 he acquired the „Kohlmann heritage“ at No. 280 Bahnhofstraße (today No. 84 Bahnhofstraße). In 1909 he was head of the Jewish community in Scharmbeck. In 1910, he won two lawsuits at the District Court in Verden against the church and the school board of the Scharmbecker school regarding a right of way. In 1913 he commissioned Gottfried Stehnke, a local company, to build a new house in the Lindenstraße as a service appartement for the gendarmerie sergeant. (Source: Menkhoff)

Ottilie und Eduard had two children:

1. Johanna Davidsohn (born 8.3.1890), married to Louis Rosendahl (29.5.1877-7.3.1958) from Dortmund on 6.4.1919.
2. Ernst Davidsohn (27.7.1891-ca. 28.7.1942), murdered in the Minsk Gheto.

Toni und Sally Davidsohn had three children:

1. Johan („John“) Davidsohn (1.8.1904-Sept. 1985), was able to flee to the United States in 1938. Married to Elsa Eichwald.
2. Ilse Davidsohn (22.1.1906-ca. 1942), murdered in the Minsk Gheto.
3. Gertrud Davidsohn (13.9.1908-11.4.1909), who died in infancy.

Thank you, Jonathan Strauss, for providing this translation of the german article Familie Davidsohn.

This site is about the Teufelsmoor, which literally translates to devil’s bog, an area of outstanding historical and scenic interest as long as you ask enthusiastic residents like me. I launched this site back in 2005 as a kind of digital notebook for my impressions and details about people, landscape and history gathered over the years from all kinds of sources. When we moved in 1999, I was attracted by the light, the openness and the cosyness of this region from the very first moment. I translated one of the main articles about the Teufelsmoor itself to give you an idea of what this is about. Please feel free to contact me (see Impressum) in case of any further interest. Cheers!

On the other hand, Teufelsmoor is well defined as the name of a small village, first documented as „Düwelsmoor“ in the 14th Century and now part of the city of Osterholz-Scharmbeck. This village is situated at the heart of the „Teufelsmoor in the strict sense“, an area north of the Teufelsmoorstraße including the Günnemoor, the Torfkanal, the Niedersandhauser Moor, the Hamberger Moor and the Oenersmoor and the stretching valleys of the upper Beek inbetween them.

Only in the course of the 19th Century Teufelsmoor became an umbrella term for only vaguely connected bogs within this region, which nevertheless are today often referred to as one of the largest contiguous bogs in northern Germany. In fact, however, there is hardly any truly ombrotrophic peat bog left after centuries of drainage and agricultural use. One of the few remnants of intact bog can be seen in the nature reserve of Huvenhoopsmoor at Gnarrenburg, at the northern foothills of the Teufelsmoor, where the Huvenhoopsee with approximately 30 hectares remains one of the last great natural bog-lakes in Lower Saxony.

Today’s High German name „devil’s bog“ is derived from the Low German term Duvelsmoor, which has developed from the former Duves Moor (deaf, barren land). So, in fact, „devil’s bog“ is a result of a translation error.

In addition to its landscape features the Teufelsmoor also offers a cultural attraction of national significance. The artists‘ colony in Worpswede was founded in the late 19th Century and populated by a number of renowned German expressionists, among them Fritz Mackensen, Hans am Ende, Otto Modersohn, Heinrich Vogeler and Paula Modersohn-Becker.