Discover Büren

Büren brings together several distinct themes for a stay: late Baroque architecture, milling history, historic school and marksmen’s culture, and trails through the Alme meadows. When looking for a hotel, it helps to decide in advance what you’d like to focus on. The sights can help you choose whether to plan mainly for architectural history, engaging exhibitions or outdoor activities.

Baroque architecture and milling history

The Jesuit Church of “Maria Immaculata” is in Büren town centre and is considered one of the most magnificent Baroque buildings in North Rhine-Westphalia. Built to designs by Franz Heinrich Roth between 1754 and 1773, it is in the late Baroque style. Its construction period and architectural classification offer a concrete point of reference for anyone interested in the city’s architectural history.

The Mittel and Bohr mills are in the Alme meadows, by the Mühlengraben stream, next to the old town wall and within sight of the Jesuit Church. Today, they are an “interactive museum” for all ages. Public guided tours lasting about 60 minutes are held regularly during the summer months. They explain the history of the mill and demonstrate the practical workings of an old stone mill. Tours do not take place in months with special events, so check the seasonal schedule before your trip.

Trails through the Alme meadows

The Alme meadows form an extensive parkland with circular hiking trails, a nature trail and a Nordic walking course. For a cycling loop, there is the Auen cycle route: this 44-kilometre circular route starts at the Jesuit Church in Büren. This gives you different options to plan around: trails through the parkland and a clearly marked cycling loop that starts in the town centre.

Museums and local history

The Bernhard Wolff School Museum of the City of Büren showcases school life during the German Empire, with furniture, pictures, documents and posters. Its centrepiece is a classroom from around the turn of the century. Visitors can write on slate boards with a slate pencil. The exhibition combines historical objects with an engaging activity from everyday school life.

The St. Sebastian Brotherhood Marksmen’s Museum in Büren is housed in the Eulen Tower on the eastern wall of the town’s fortifications. Across two floors, it displays old documents, everyday objects, uniforms and flags. Its location in the tower and its collection give this museum visit a different focus from the glimpse into school life of the past at the Bernhard Wolff School Museum.

The ruins of Ringelstein Castle are in the Harth district of Büren. During the Thirty Years’ War, the castle was the site of numerous witch trials and served as a court for the Lordship of Büren. Evidence of these trials can be found in the witch’s cellar associated with the ruins. The site’s historical significance therefore goes beyond its function as a castle.

Wewelsburg Castle was built between 1603 and 1609 as a triangular castle in the Weser Renaissance style. It is located in the village of the same name, in the town of Büren in the Paderborn district. The castle houses a museum on the history of the former Prince-Bishopric of Paderborn. In 29 rooms, it presents the history of the Paderborn region from the earliest settlements through to secularisation in 1802.

Getting to Wewelsburg

Bus routes S61, Sk1 and 461 stop in Wewelsburg. The S61 express bus runs regularly from Paderborn Central Station towards the airport, to the “Schule” stop in Büren-Wewelsburg. Check the latest timetable details before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Ahden, Hövelhof, Paderborn, Bad Lippspringe, Borchen, Bad Wünnenberg, Herbram, Barkhausen.

Go to the main travel overview: Paderborn.