Hamelin

Germany

16th-century illustration of the Pied Piper legend Hamelin (German: Hameln) is a town in Lower Saxony, 50 km southwest of Hanover. It is the scene of the Pied Piper story (German: Rattenfänger von Hameln), about the man who expelled rats from the town by playing the pipe, and subsequently abducted the town's children when the citizenry refused to pay him what was initially agreed. The town is visited by some three million visitors each year and is easy to reach from Hannover by train (S-Bahn).

Half-timbered Stiftsherrenhaus (left) and Renaissance Leisthaus, both parts of the Hamelin Museum Pied Piper well (Rattenfängerbrunnen)

  • Several romantic 16th-century half-timbered houses with lavish ornaments, e.g. Stiftsherrenhaus (canons' house) and Bürgerhaus (house of the citizenry)
  • Pied Piper's House, Osterstraße/Bungelosenstraße. Renaissance building from 1602/03, with an elaborately decorated main façade and an inscription reminding of the Pied Piper legend.
  • Hochzeitshaus. Renaissance-style sandstone building dating from 1610–17. Pied Piper-themed carillon.
  • Schloß Bückeburg and Hofreitschule, Fürstliche Schlossverwaltung Schlossplatz 1 31675 Bückeburg, +49 5722 9558-30. Castle and riding school/horse stables. Very beautiful and elegant. Tours available in English
  • Site of the Nazi Reich's 1933-1937 Erntedankfesten. Interesting for history fans, to see the site where the Nazis celebrated their harvest festivals, on the Bückeberg hillside. To get to the top requires quite a few stairs, but the views and historical value are rewarding. Free.

  • Garrison Church.
  • St. Boniface Minster Church.
  • Market Church of St. Nicholas.

Garrison Church.

St. Boniface Minster Church.

Market Church of St. Nicholas.

  • Hamelin Museum, Osterstraße 8-9, +49 5151 202 1215. 11a-6p Tues-Sun. Museum of local history in two neighbouring historic buildings (Renaissance-style sandstone Leisthaus and half-timbered Stiftsherrenhaus) Adults €5, Children (6-17) €3.

Hamelin Museum, Osterstraße 8-9, +49 5151 202 1215. 11a-6p Tues-Sun. Museum of local history in two neighbouring historic buildings (Renaissance-style sandstone Leisthaus and half-timbered Stiftsherrenhaus) Adults €5, Children (6-17) €3.

Several romantic 16th-century half-timbered houses with lavish ornaments, e.g. Stiftsherrenhaus (canons' house) and Bürgerhaus (house of the citizenry)

Pied Piper's House, Osterstraße/Bungelosenstraße. Renaissance building from 1602/03, with an elaborately decorated main façade and an inscription reminding of the Pied Piper legend.

Hochzeitshaus. Renaissance-style sandstone building dating from 1610–17. Pied Piper-themed carillon.

Schloß Bückeburg and Hofreitschule, Fürstliche Schlossverwaltung Schlossplatz 1 31675 Bückeburg, +49 5722 9558-30. Castle and riding school/horse stables. Very beautiful and elegant. Tours available in English

Site of the Nazi Reich's 1933-1937 Erntedankfesten. Interesting for history fans, to see the site where the Nazis celebrated their harvest festivals, on the Bückeberg hillside. To get to the top requires quite a few stairs, but the views and historical value are rewarding. Free.

  • Weser Cycle Route. Award-winning bike path named one of the most beautiful and scenic rides in all of Germany.

Weser Cycle Route. Award-winning bike path named one of the most beautiful and scenic rides in all of Germany.

  • Rattenfängerhaus, Osterstr. 28, +49 5151-3888. One of the more famous buildings in Hameln's old-town area. A beautiful example of the architectural style of the Weser Renaissance.
  • Tündernsche Warte, Tündernsche Warte 1, 31789 Hameln, Germany, +49 5151 92 47 04. Lovely little restaurant and beer garden a short bit away from the bustle of the main town and city center.

Rattenfängerhaus, Osterstr. 28, +49 5151-3888. One of the more famous buildings in Hameln's old-town area. A beautiful example of the architectural style of the Weser Renaissance.

Tündernsche Warte, Tündernsche Warte 1, 31789 Hameln, Germany, +49 5151 92 47 04. Lovely little restaurant and beer garden a short bit away from the bustle of the main town and city center.

Hämelschenburg

  • Hämelschenburg. Renaissance-style sandstone chateau in the Weser Uplands, one of the best examples of Weser Renaissance architecture, housing an art collection, surrounded by an ensemble of gardens, church, outbuildings and a watermill.

Hämelschenburg. Renaissance-style sandstone chateau in the Weser Uplands, one of the best examples of Weser Renaissance architecture, housing an art collection, surrounded by an ensemble of gardens, church, outbuildings and a watermill.

  • Hanover, state capital, 50 km northeast (40–45 minutes by train)
  • Hildesheim, historical city with several medieval cultural monuments, 50 km east (50 minutes by train)
  • Lemgo, extraordinarily well-preserved old town with many medieval and Renaissance merchant's houses, 40 km west
  • Detmold, with the iconic Hermann's monument, 45 km west
  • Bodenwerder, origin city of the Baron von Münchausen legends, namesake of Munchausen syndrome, with entertaining statues throughout the town commemorating the myths