Soest: Old Town, Museums and City History

Soest offers many ways to explore the city’s history and culture: surviving sections of the city fortifications, medieval buildings, church art and museums each offer a different perspective. Digital discovery experiences and events are also among the ways to get to know the city.

City History Between Gate, Wall and Museum

The Osthofentor is the only surviving one of the ten gates originally built into Soest’s town ramparts. Master builder Porphyrius constructed it between 1523 and 1526, replacing an earlier structure. The rampart wall offers a different perspective on the city’s fortifications: two thirds of it still remain. Alongside Lucca in Tuscany, Soest has Europe’s only walkable, tree-lined town wall.

The Burghof Museum has 700 square metres of exhibition space spread across five departments. Topics include everyday life in the Middle Ages. The Romanesque House in the Burghof is the surviving part of a house that was originally larger and is considered one of the oldest surviving secular residential buildings in Westphalia. As a secular residence, it adds a different perspective on architectural history from that of gates and churches.

Churches and Works of Art

The choir windows of St. Maria zur Wiese, also known as the Wiesenkirche, feature stained-glass windows from the 14th century, described as the most significant in Westphalia. The church is also known for the “Westphalian Last Supper,” created around 1500. The stained glass and this named work of art give the church two distinct points of interest for art history.

At the Provost Church of St. Patrokli, known in Soest as the “Dom” (cathedral), the “Westphalian Nativity Scene” is especially worth seeing at Christmas. The nativity scene adds a seasonal highlight for trips during the Christmas period.

Explore the Old Town Digitally

There are two different digital experiences for Soest’s old town. The “Historic Soest” scavenger hunt takes you through the old town, with 16 stops along the way. The free SoesTour tourism app offers a GPS-guided discovery tour through its lanes and corners. One highlights the number of stops; the other offers GPS guidance.

Events and Culinary Experiences

For almost 700 years, the Soest All Saints’ Fair has transformed the old town into a fairground for five days each November. It attracts around one million visitors. If you plan your trip around the fair, check the specific dates before making arrangements. The “Soester Fehde” festival evokes a medieval setting: the city’s moats become a military camp, while the old town is transformed into a medieval scene. Check current dates and programme details before planning a trip around the festival.

The Soest Menu Safari combines a guided city tour with a four-course meal served at four different restaurants. One of its two starters is the local speciality known as the “Westphalian Last Supper.”

Soest can therefore be explored through a range of interests: its fortifications and residential architecture, everyday life in the Middle Ages and church art, or digital experiences and events. These interests can help guide your choice of hotel. Whether you want to focus on cultural attractions, a seasonal event, or a combination of a guided tour and a meal depends on what matters most to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Lippstadt, Lippetal, Erwitte, Ense, Wickede, Bad Sassendorf, Rüthen, Warstein.

View the overarching travel overview: Soest.