Paderborn: Weser Renaissance, springs and the history of technology

Neuhaus Castle, located in the Paderborn district of the same name, is an impressive example of early Weser Renaissance architecture. The Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum in Paderborn takes visitors on a different journey through time: its exhibition traces 5,000 years of information technology, from the first written characters and historic writing and calculating machines to early computers, modern robots and artificial intelligence. The history of architecture and the development of technology thus offer two distinct ways to explore the destination’s culture.

Museums, Monastery and History

In the Paderborn district, the Wewelsburg District Museum comprises the Historical Museum of the Prince-Bishopric of Paderborn and the Wewelsburg 1933–1945 Memorial and Remembrance Site. Its permanent exhibition, “Ideology and Terror of the SS,” presents the local history of the SS in Wewelsburg and the concentration camp there as part of a comprehensive account of the SS.

Dalheim Monastery in Lichtenau offers a different perspective on cultural history. The almost completely preserved medieval monastery complex includes a splendidly painted late Gothic cloister, around 20,000 square metres of monastery gardens and 3,000 square metres of exhibition space.

Springs and Wetlands

At the Ems spring in the “Moosheide” nature reserve, water does not emerge at just one point: the seepage spring consists of numerous different outlets. A wooden boardwalk offers a close-up view of this natural spring environment. The Steinhorster Becken, meanwhile, is a vast landscape mosaic on both sides of the Ems: shallow ponds, islands, reed beds and wet grassland provide habitats for many migrating waders and waterbirds. They offer undisturbed areas for resting and foraging.

The Steinhorster Becken is considered the largest reserve in North Rhine-Westphalia that was deliberately planned and created by people for nature conservation, rather than resulting from previous uses such as excavation sites, quarries or sewage farms. Another water phenomenon is the Krollbach bifurcation in Hövelhof: at this rare fork, the waters of the Krollbach are divided between two river systems.

Hiking, Cycling and Regional Traditions

The 30-kilometre Viaduct Hiking Trail around Altenbeken combines railway and nature experiences. After dark, 20 of the 24 arches of the Altenbeken Viaduct are illuminated. This gives the area two distinct highlights: the hiking route, which combines nature and railways, and the illuminated structure with its striking series of arches.

As a regional cycling route, the 250-kilometre Paderborn Land Route forms a circular tour past cultural and historical sites and natural attractions in the Paderborn region. It runs almost entirely on dedicated cycle paths, leading directly to the region’s towns and municipalities. There, cosy cafés and country inns serve regional specialities such as bread, beer and asparagus. The Pader springs are also part of the region’s culinary history: their fast-flowing water was historically essential for Paderborn bread and the famous Paderborn beer. This describes a historical tradition.

A seasonal highlight is the Dalheim Monastery Market: held every year in late August, it brings together members of religious orders from across Europe, who offer monastic goods. If you are planning to visit the market, check the date for the relevant year before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Bad Wünnenberg, Borchen, Büren, Delbrück, Herbram, Hövelhof, Paderborn, Salzkotten, Bad Lippspringe, Barkhausen, Lichtenau, Altenbeken.

Back to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.