Bischhausen facts for kids
Bischhausen is a small village located in southern Lower Saxony, a state in Germany. It's part of a larger local area called Gleichen. As of early 2024, about 326 people live there.
Bischhausen is special because it's very close to where the border between West and East Germany used to be during the Cold War. It's also near two hills called the Gleichen, which have old castle ruins on top.
Contents
What is Bischhausen Like?
Bischhausen is mostly made up of homes. Many families who live there are farmers. Other people travel to the nearby city of Göttingen for work or school. These people are called commuters.
The village has a small pond and a church named St. Martin. This church belongs to the Lutheran faith. Inside, you can find a beautiful old wooden sculpture from the Late Gothic period.
History of Bischhausen
Bischhausen has a long history! The village was first mentioned in official records way back in 1152. At that time, it was called "Biscopenhusen," which means "Bishop's houses." This name might suggest it had a connection to a bishop or church leaders in the past.
St. Martin's Church
The St. Martin's Church you see today was built much later, between 1740 and 1742. A skilled builder named Jost Philipp was in charge of its construction.
Modern Changes
In 1971, there were some big changes to how local areas were organized in Germany. As part of this, Bischhausen became part of the larger "Gemeinde" (or municipality) of Gleichen.
The Cold War Years
Bischhausen's location near the former border with East Germany made it unique during the Cold War (from the late 1940s to 1991). East Germany was a separate country with a different political system. Because there was no open border crossing nearby, very few cars or people just passed through Bischhausen. It was a quiet place where traffic mostly belonged to the people living there. Patrol vehicles would sometimes drive through the village at night to monitor the border area.
Village Leadership
The mayor of Bischhausen is Michael Dusch. A mayor is like the leader of a town or village. They help make decisions and manage local services for the community.
