Green world and stone owls
A narrow path leads off to the left into nature, and soon the sounds of the city fade away. You stroll gently downhill between shady bushes and trees, the oxygen-rich air filling your lungs. Occasionally, a cyclist or jogger passes by, but otherwise, it's wonderfully quiet. The forest becomes denser, creating an almost magical atmosphere. So much lush greenery! Then, to the right, a tranquil pond full of water lilies; relaxed ducks sit on the bank, undisturbed by your presence. The Liebesgrund (Love's Ground), with its tall, densely packed trees, stretches along a special section of the city's ramparts near the Magdalenengarten (Magdalene Garden). As a shady "ravine forest," it's not only a place of relaxation for people but also a refuge for rare animal species. Waterfowl, such as the shy kingfisher, frolic in the still waters of the ditch. Less shy, because they are carved from stone, are three owls that sit enthroned on a low wall not far from the archway at the entrance – in ancient times they were considered a symbol of wisdom and were created by the artist Maria von Ohlen as a gift to Hildesheim.
