Höxter: Culture, Corvey and Routes Along the Weser

Höxter offers plenty of options for trips with different focuses: Carolingian history, museums, routes along the Weser or cycling tours. If you are looking for a hotel in Höxter, you can start by considering which of these themes you want to shape your trip. The following places and routes offer practical guidance.

Cultural History in Höxter and Corvey

On the banks of the Weser, on the edge of Höxter, stand the Carolingian Westwork and the Civitas Corvey. The Westwork is the only surviving building from the Carolingian period. Partially excavated archaeological remains of the original imperial abbey complex have also been preserved. Corvey therefore offers a glimpse of different aspects of history through both a surviving building and traces of the larger abbey complex.

The Princely Library in Corvey houses around 75,000 volumes in 15 rooms. Its bookcases date from the late Neoclassical and Biedermeier periods. The newly designed permanent exhibition “The Millennium of the Monks” opened in Corvey for the 2024 season. Media stations and precious exhibits bring the monks’ Golden Age to life. If this exhibition is the main reason for your visit, check the presentation details before your trip.

The Corvey Music Weeks also add a cultural highlight. Since 1954, every May and June, they have brought renowned ensembles and soloists from Germany and abroad to the Imperial Hall and the Corvey Abbey Church. The specific program may vary, so check it if you want to plan your trip around a concert.

In the heart of Höxter, you will find the Museum im Hütteschen Haus, a listed Weser Renaissance building dating from 1565. Its professional collection comprises more than 15,000 objects from the past 140 years. The many magnificent half-timbered buildings in the Weser Renaissance style continue to shape the townscape. The historic walking tour in Höxter is 4.51 km long.

The Jacob Pins Forum presents a permanent exhibition about Jacob Pins, including a film about his life, paintings, woodcuts and his tools. Höxter’s cultural attractions therefore complement one another, from Weser Renaissance architecture to an exhibition of artworks and personal work tools.

The Weser, Routes and Gardens

The Huxarium Garden Park connects the historic half-timbered town with the World Heritage Site in Corvey. The Weser promenade runs between the old town and the World Heritage Site. It includes a widened main path, a narrow riverside trail along the historic towpath and an elevated path offering a broader perspective. When finding your way, you can choose between a wider route, the riverside trail and the elevated path.

At the foot of the Carolingian Westwork lies the Remter Garden. There you will find a variety of roses, perennials, and vegetable and medicinal plants. The garden provides its own point of interest at this historic site, while the Weser promenade offers different routes between the town and Corvey.

Cycling and Active Experiences

Corvey lies directly on the Weser Cycle Route and the R1 European Cycle Route between Höxter and Holzminden. The Weser Cycle Route to Höxter is continuously passable and signposted on both sides of the river. For a cycling tour, the two routes offer different kinds of guidance: Corvey lies on both long-distance cycle routes, while the description of the Weser Cycle Route to Höxter specifies that it is passable and signposted on both sides.

The Huxarium Garden Park has three large playgrounds and a marble run, making it a family day-trip destination. If you want to make these attractions a key part of your visit, check the latest information, as individual features may change.

In the Archaeological Park, augmented-reality technology on smartphones or loanable tablets brings the market church, the stone Weser bridge and medieval scenes to life. Check whether devices are available before your visit. During live excavations, visitors can help with trowels and uncover hidden history. The opportunity to take part depends on the date, so check in advance for planned excavations.

Discover more travel destinations: Bad Driburg, Warburg, Steinheim, Gehrden, Borgentreich, Nieheim, Brakel, Willebadessen.

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