Germany. Celle

  Celle is a town in Germany, located in the federal state of Lower Saxony. It serves as the center of the Celle district. The town is situated in the southern part of the Lüneburg Heath along the Aller River. With a population of around 71,000, Celle is known for its well-preserved historic center, where buildings from the 16th century still stand. Many of these structures are half-timbered houses, making Celle a charming destination for tourists...

  Because the town was scarcely bombed during the war, the historic center has been beautifully preserved—its streets lined with half-timbered houses, some of which still look medieval...

  Half-timbering (German: Fachwerk) is a construction style where the supporting framework is made of angled wooden beams. These beams are visible from the outside, giving the building its characteristic appearance, while the spaces between them are filled with materials like clay, brick, or sometimes wood. This style emerged in the 15th century in Germany and became highly popular throughout Europe, especially in the northern regions (from Britain to Poland). In the 20th century, this style saw a revival due to its medieval charm and the natural effect of the building materials.

  In person, the charm of these buildings creates a very cozy atmosphere. Walking through the streets surrounded by these gingerbread-like houses, we were uplifted at every corner...

   Interestingly, Celle is twinned with the Ukrainian city of Sumy. That's why the next sign includes the name "Sumy." It may seem like a small detail, but seeing our Ukrainian city's name somehow bridges two very different worlds... 

   For fans of birdhouses, here's a little tribute...

  The houses continued to amaze us with their beauty...

  And of course, in Germany, it's impossible not to enjoy some beer...

 The city's architecture is simply mind-blowing. The uniformly styled houses, yet varied in their designs, create a fairy-tale ambiance...

   Celle is also known for the palace of the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg. The castle was built in the 16th century and was later renovated in the Baroque style at the end of the 18th century...

  This town enriched our visual perception of the world and left a deep impression on our memory. Such architecture, seen in person and in such quantity, was a first for us, resulting in a truly "Wow" effect...