The best city hikes and walks in the Weser Uplands

The first fortification of the city of Lemgo after its founding probably consisted only of a rampart and a ditch. It was not until the middle of the 13th century that a city wall with gates and towers was built. This wall was constantly reinforced and repaired. In the second half of the 16th century, the systematic expansion into a fortress took place. At that time, triangular bastions, the so-called Homeien, were also built in particularly vulnerable areas. Various experts, so-called Wallmeisters (fortification masters), were hired for these works. The last one, Henrich vom Hartze, was appointed in 1622. During the Thirty Years' War, only repair work was carried out. Because in the meantime, it had been recognized in Lemgo that no matter how strong the city's fortification was, it offered no protection and would not withstand the firepower of cannons. They did not even let it come to a siege and bombardment. The violent storming by the Swedes in 1646 was due to the stubbornness of the imperial city commander. On the other hand, its relatively strong fortification made the city interesting for both warring parties, so they made sure not to have it at their backs and to occupy it with their own troops as much as possible. After the end of the war, Lemgo let its fortifications fall into disrepair. Since 1853, walls and towers were sold for demolition, so that only small remains have survived. The last city gate was demolished in 1876.

The "dispute over the barrel" inspired the Aachen sculptor Bonifatius Stirnberg in 1977 to create the fountain. In 1587, Count Simon VI had the government of the Detmold region relocated to Brake Castle, where many of the count's officials now had their workplace. Due to the high space requirements, additional buildings had even been erected to accommodate the chancellor and other officials. However, in most cases, the officials, like Chancellor Dr. Balthasar Knaust, preferred to live in Lemgo rather than in Brake, which is why many of them lived not far from the current location of the Chancellor's Fountain at Ostertor. A few years later, the people of Lemgo fell more and more out of favor with the count, and the "dispute over the barrel" was a point at which this dispute ignited. The town had introduced a beverage tax, which, in Simon VI's opinion, was done unlawfully. As a result, the count turned away from Lemgo more and more and towards Detmold. The fountain is also a popular play and photo motif, especially among children and visitors to the town. Water flows from the top of a barrel, which, according to the artist, is filled with precious Mindener Bräuhahn beer, and around the edge of the basin are the parties involved in the dispute as bronze figures with movable joints. The expressive faces and the flexibility of the figures ensure that both young and old regularly want to shake their hands.

Great half-timbered houses can be discovered in Hameln's old town.

Currently, in April 2026, the Weserstein stands alone without a tree at the confluence of the Fulda and Werra rivers to form the Weser.

The rotunda was once part of the fortifications of Hann. Münden. After the demolition of the defensive tower and the city gate located there, it is the last remaining remnant of the former fortifications.

The red sandstone bridge on Ivenstraße spans the Krumme Wasser (Crooked Water). The striking bridge, with its two flattened pointed arches, was built in the 16th century and was part of the former military road between Einbeck, Alfeld, and Hanover. It was thus situated on an important route for goods and travelers between southern German cities and the Hanseatic cities in the north. Today, the bridge is a popular subject for photographs by the water.

The Stiftsgarten (Abbey Garden) is located on the northeastern edge of Einbeck's old town. In this green oasis in the heart of the city, you can spend some relaxing time – whether by the pond with its romantic fountain, in the Generations Garden with its play and fitness stations, or on the many paths that wind through the park.

At the foot of the Mühlenwall, on the corner of Bismarckstraße and Benser Straße, stands the Einbeck War Memorial. It commemorates the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. It was inaugurated on September 3, 1876, during the Sedan Day celebrations. Originally, the approximately eleven-meter-high monument stood in the middle of the market square. In 1942, it had to make way for the Eulenspiegel Fountain and was relocated. The design of the memorial, constructed of sandstone and limestone, comes from the Einbeck architect Conrad Wilhelm Hase.