Minden - Minden

This name is used by several places. More places with this name can be found at Minden (signpost).

Minden is an East Westphalian city on the Weser in North Rhine-Westphalia. The city looks back on more than 1200 years of history and is characterized, among other things, by the waterway cross formed by the Weser and Mittelland Canal. Not far away at Porta Westfalica you can find the breakthrough of the Weser through the Wiehen / Weser Mountains. The Street of the Weser Renaissance.

background

The city was first mentioned in a document in 798, so in 1998 it was the 1200th anniversary of the founding of the city. In 977 market, coin and customs rights were granted. In 1648 the former independent prince-bishopric of Minden fell to the electorate of Brandenburg. In 1815 the Kingdom of Prussia designated Minden as the administrative center of the newly formed Prussian administrative district of Minden. In 1915/16 the city was connected to the European canal route system by the Mittelland Canal or the waterway cross.

getting there

By plane

With an airliner, Minden is most likely over the Hanover Airport to reach.

By train

The Mindener Bahnhof is on the main connections Cologne-Ruhr area-Berlin and Amsterdam-Berlin, as well as on the Weser-Aller-Bahn from Minden to Nienburg. The station is a stop for local and long-distance trains (ICE, IC trains). Trains the DB region go to Braunschweig above Hanover, to Rheine above Osnabrück and after Bielefeld above Herford. There is still an S-Bahn connection via the S1 line Buckeburg, Wunstorf and Seelze to Hanover. At the train station there is a bus station with numerous regional bus routes as well as the city bus route. From here you can also quickly reach the city center and the central bus station (ZOB). There are also taxis on the station forecourt. The station is designed to be barrier-free. There is still a bicycle station in the station area.

By bus

There are regular bus connections to the municipalities, among others Bad Oeynhausen, Luebbecke, Espelkamp and Petershagen. As the city belongs to the Verkehrsverbund OstWestfalenLippe (tariff: Der Sechser), both the rail transport tickets and the NRW tariff tickets are also valid on the city bus. The central bus station (ZOB) is located in the southwest of the city center between Klausenwall and Lindenstrasse. From here you can quickly reach almost all of the city's sights on foot and the city's surroundings by bus.

In the street

The A 2 and A 30 motorways are nearby. The 65 and 61 federal highways cross the city. The federal highway 482 runs east of the urban area from the A 2 in the direction of Nienburg / Weser. The city center is surrounded by an inner (almost completely) four-lane ring and an outer ring formed by the B 61.

By boat

The Weser is a more heavily used waterway downstream from Minden. The Mindener passenger shipping offers excursions on the Weser and trips through the waterway intersection.

For water hikers this is Weser an excellent area.

By bicycle

• The Weser cycle path just like the river runs through the city. Bicycling out Bremen get over Verden and Nienburg to Minden. Bicycling out Höxter and Holzminden happen Hamelin, Bad Oeynhausen and Porta Westfalica.

On foot

The begins in Minden Sigwardsweg, an old pilgrimage route in the diocese of Minden.

mobility

The city offers a well-developed bus network with 13 lines. The city center is a pedestrian zone. In the old town you should ideally go on foot.

The journey can be made by train, at the train station the city bus that goes to the central ZOB is waiting, from there it goes in a star-shaped network to the other destinations.

Tourist Attractions

Churches

Minden Cathedral

The largest sacred building is the St. Gorgonius Cathedral in Minden.

The original building is a hall church from the 8th century, which was built on the so-called cathedral hill. In the course of time this church was replaced by a three-aisled nave with east transept and choir. The cathedral in its current form was built by the end of the 13th century with the Gothic hall adjoining the late Romanesque choir yoke. The building was badly damaged in World War II and then reconstructed so that the original shape has been restored. Inside, the cathedral captivates with the tracery windows in the hall and the replica of the golden plaque sold to the Bode Museum in Berlin in 1909, which was one of the most important works of German Gothic. It was and is used as a high altar.

Other important works of art are exhibited in the cathedral treasury. These include the Minden Cross from 1070, the Petri shrine from 1071 and the Silver Madonna from 1230.

Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Tower climbs take place on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month at 11.00 a.m.

Guides:

By agreement with the cathedral parish office. Registration under the telephone number: 0571/83764100

Prices:

Groups of up to 10 people flat rate € 20

Groups of 10 people or more per person € 2

School classes free of charge

Opening times of the cathedral treasury:

Monday: closed Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. : 00-12: 00

Website:http://www.dom-minden.de/

Other churches

• St. Simeon's Church from the 13th century
• St. Mauritius Monastery of the Benedictines from 1042
• St. John's Church from the 12th / 13th centuries century
• St. Martini Church from 1029
• Petri Church from 1743

Buildings

The old City Hall

The old town hall in Minden was built in 1260 in the Gothic style. It should be a representative building to represent the strengthened political power of the council over the bishopric. The old town hall is located in the center of the city, very close to the cathedral on the Martini stairs. The market square is in front of the town hall. The new town hall was added to the old building and is still home to the city council of Minden today. Particularly noteworthy is the arcade that stretches around the old town hall.

Old coin

The old coin is a building that was built in 1260. You can find it at Brüderstraße 2, very close to the St. Martini Church. It's in the style of the Gothic built, but also contains elements of the Late renaissance. It is believed that it served as the house of the former Minden mint, as a large number of coins were found during excavations. Today the house is home to the Alte Münze restaurant, which offers Greek cuisine.

Provision magazine

The Proviant-Magazin was established in 1835 as a warehouse for food for the Prussian army in the Minden fortress. It was made in the style of Neo-romance built. The facade was clad in Minde sandstone from the Wiehen Mountains. You can find it above the Martini staircase at the Martini churchyard. Today the Proviant-Magazin claims the Weserkolleg, an evening school in which one can achieve different school qualifications on the second educational path.

Martini stairs

The Martini staircase connects the upper and lower towns of Minden. Starting from the town hall, it climbs west to the provisions store. You can get to the upper old town from the pedestrian zone via the Martini staircase. From the Martini stairs you have a very good view of Minden's market square. This view should not be missed.

Fishing town

The fishing town is located north of the Weser bridge on the western bank of the Weser. This medieval settlement originated in the 16th and 17th centuries and, as the name suggests, was settled by fishermen. The fishing town was fortified. The banks of the Weser were also protected with a stone wall. The settlement consists almost exclusively of half-timbered houses. The Weser wall is still preserved today. A visit to the fishing town is definitely worth it.

Weser Renaissance

The Weser Renaissance is an independent architectural style recognized today. In Minden you can also find some buildings that date from this time and show the essential characteristics of this style very nicely. Although they are not among the main structures of the Weser Renaissance, they are still very impressive to look at, as they are very well preserved.

Wesermühle

There are some beautiful, restored mills in the area around Minden. The ship mill on the Weser is a very special mill. It has also been completely restored and in operation. You can find it on the banks of the Weser just south of the pedestrian bridge.

Minden waterway intersection

• Canal bridges
  • old canal bridge - built in 1907; is under monument protection
  • new canal bridge - completed in 1998; with its construction, the bottleneck in the Mittelland Canal was eliminated.
  • Viewing platform - It is located on the "Channel Island" between the two bridges

• Shaft lock - The 95 m long lock is 10 m wide and has a lifting height of 13 m. It connects the canal with the Weser. Passenger ships pass through the lock on sightseeing trips. A tour of the lock is included in the entrance fee to the information center.

• "Wasserstraßenkreuz" circular route - The 4 km long circular route leads from the shaft lock through the waterway cross. Information boards present the individual structures.

• Sightseeing trips - The Mindener passenger shipping offers trips through the waterway intersection.

• Information center of the Minden Waterways and Shipping Office at the shaft lock: The center provides information on:
  • Exhibition on the waterway cross
  • Collections on the Weser, Mittelland Canal and inland navigation
  • Presentation of the water and shipping administration
  • thematic exhibition on waterways (including inland navigation, energy generation, recreational shipping)
  • Opening hours: 01.04 - 31.10: daily 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sundays and public holidays 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., in winter only shaft lock: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Entry: Adults € 1.50, children € 0.80 (as of 09-2011)

Museums

Prussia Museum

The most important museum in Minden is the Prussian Museum. The Prussian Museum is divided into the Rhenish part, which is divided into Wesel takes place and the Westphalian part, the museum in Minden. The museum is housed in the former building of the Prussian defense barracks. It is located on Simeonisplatz. The building, built in 1829, was completely renovated and redesigned in 1995. The museum was opened in 1999. The museum tells of Prussian history in the garrison town of Minden, shows a large number of original exhibits and provides an overview of this part of the city's history.

Minden Museum of History, Regional Studies and Folklore

The museum is located in the upper town of Minden. It is housed in the so-called Museumzeile, which is located near the St. Martinikirche. Exhibits from the history of the city are shown on over 1000 square meters.

Coffee museum

The Coffee Museum is attached to the Museum of History, Regional Studies and Folklore. Exhibits from the more than 100-year history of the Melitta company are shown here.

Doll museum

The privately run doll museum is very close by. Dolls from different eras are shown here. The most important source of income is the very beautiful café integrated into the museum, in which you can easily hang out even without visiting the museum.

Parks

Botanical Garden

The Minden Botanical Garden is to the west of the city center. The facility was completely redesigned and realigned in 1998. The occasion was the 1000 year celebration of the city. The site is the former city cemetery of Minden, which has been moved to the north cemetery. The botanical garden is also integrated into the glacis and is part of the city's "green lung". The garden offers rest and relaxation. Particularly noticeable is the tree population with some very old trees about which information can be obtained.

Glacis

The glacis takes its name from the former city fortifications that enclosed the city of Minden up to modern warfare. The fortifications were largely demolished when they became useless. The resulting open spaces were not built on again, but redesigned as a park. The old town of Minden is surrounded by a park ring, which is also called the town's "green lung". In the area where the glacis borders the Weser is the Swan pond. Here you can skate in winter and relax here in summer.

Weseraue

West of the Weser you can go for a wonderful walk directly on the river. The Weseraue invites you. The undeveloped areas are beautifully designed, you can walk in the forest or directly along the Weser. The Weser Cycle Path is also located here. The Weseraue is also integrated into the glacis.

activities

Walk through the old town

When you are in Minden, you should definitely not miss out on a long walk through the old town. It is located northeast of the pedestrian zone, a little higher than this. It is also called Upper Town. If you are here on a weekday, the alleys of the old town are empty, you can walk the cobblestones almost alone, and cars are also very rare. This is the best way to enjoy the old town. At the weekend and on public holidays it is more crowded, because then many tourists gather here who want to visit the old town. In the old town you will find many quaint pubs as well as small museums, such as the doll museum, which are beautifully made up and offer a lot of interesting things. Many half-timbered houses are still in a very original condition, there are numerous narrow streets and small squares. You will also find the Petri Church, the Marienkirche (The Monastery Church), St. Martini Church and the Simeons Church with the associated facilities.

Museum train

• Minden Museum Railway - Museum train rides on the tracks of the former Mindener Kreisbahn

Culture

City Theatre

The Minden City Theater is over 100 years old. It can be found between the Weser and Klausenwall on the Weserglacis. The building was built in 1908 in the style of the Neo-baroque. The theater does not have its own ensemble. But it definitely produces its own pieces, which are then played by an ensemble put together for the piece. Theater tours are accommodated for this purpose, but the building is also used as a concert hall. There is space for over 500 spectators in the hall.

cabaret

Minden is very well known for its cabaret and cabaret events. These take place in the city theater, in the BÜZ cultural center and in the Theater am Weingarten. They are very well known Minden sticklebacks, Germany's oldest amateur cabaret (since 1966) with changing line-ups. A well-known member in the early phase was the later Federal Minister of Justice Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger (FDP). The sticklebacks appear in the lecture hall of the Sparkasse Minden-Lübbecke and in the Minden City Theater. Every season they go on tour through all of East Westphalia-Lippe.

shop

Minden has a beautiful pedestrian zone that can be found in the lower old town. Here you can find everything you would expect in a medium-sized center. The shops have been integrated very nicely into the old architecture from different eras. Here you can not only shop, but also sit in beautifully laid out cafes and restaurants that also offer open-air spaces. Shopping is very relaxed here. By the way, you can also admire the magnificent buildings that can be found here. In the vicinity of the pedestrian zone there is also the market square at the Martini Church where the weekly market takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Here you can get everything that is produced in the Minden region. Fresh vegetables, meat and dairy products, everything you can find at a weekly market. On Friday the weekly market takes place in the small cathedral courtyard between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

• Melitta factory outlet. Coffee, filter bags and other products from subsidiaries (including Swirl, Toppits) and other companies (including Bahlsen, Leifheit).
• 52.298988.904631  Melitta, Ringstrasse 99, 32427 Minden (Access via Drabertstrasse). Tel.: (0)571 860, Fax: (0)571 861810, Email: [email protected]. Open: Monday closed, Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.last change: not specified

kitchen

If you stroll through the city center of Minden, you will notice that there is a kebab shop on almost every corner. And if it's not kebab, then the Italian restaurants dominate. There are also all kinds of bakery and confectionery businesses that also offer coffee in all of its modern forms. Many also have open-air spaces. There are also ice cream parlors, and you can sit on the street here too, although the ambience can sometimes be described as not very good. You just have to choose something nice.

My personal tip is a tiny Chinese takeout. It is located at the entrance to Bäckerstraße when you come from the Weser Bridge. It is easy to overlook because it is framed by other businesses. You can also sit outside here, albeit marginally, but the plastic chairs are anything but inviting. If you go into the snack bar, you will be surprised by the special ambience. The very narrow room can only accommodate a few people, but is very dignified and cozy, including a staircase that leads to the employees' living area. Even if you only have a little view of the outside, it is really cozy. The usual Chinese dishes are served. You can watch the chef throw the ingredients into the wok and prepare the meal. In addition, the food is very cheap. Chop suey with pork costs 5 euros, the taste is as expected and the portions are more than adequate.

nightlife

Those who like quaint, rustic pubs are sure to be in good hands in the old town of Minden. Here you will find quite a few pubs that are very inviting to spend a nice evening. You are almost spoiled for choice. The pubs are not all in one place, but are spread over the entire old town. So you can also go on a nice pub crawl while also visiting the old town at night.

For fans of the current charts is the Jukebox a good tip. You can find it at Portastraße 69, in the south of the city, very close to the B 61. If you want a harder corner, then it is The bunker maybe an alternative. Hard rock and heavy metal tones are played here. You can find it between Parstrasse and Königswall in the west of the city center. Quiet sounds are in the Jazz club played. In addition to jazz, light rock acts also come on stage.

accommodation

4 stars

• Lindgart Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn), Lindenstrasse 52 (west of the Weser Stadium, south of the city center). last change: not specified

• Victoria Hotel, Markt 11, in the city center. last change: not specified

3 stars

• Hotel Bad Minden, Portastraße 36 near the junction of the B 65 from the west onto the B 61. last change: not specified

• Hotel Crown Prince, Friedrich Wilhelmstrasse 1-3, very close to the train station. last change: not specified

2 stars

• Hotel Zum Kühlengrund, Königsstraße 243, in the west of the city near the Mittelland Canal. last change: not specified

Others

• Hotel Zur Stemmer Post, Stemmer Landstrasse 152, in the northwest, district of Stemmer. last change: not specified

• RV park, on Chancellor's pasture on the eastern bank of the Weser. last change: not specified
• 52.298368.857691  Campsite Hahlen, Am Hahler Hafen 22, Minden. Tel.: 49 571 3857925. Directly on the Mittelland Canal in the Hahlen district, approx. 4 km from Minden city center. In a quiet location and close to the marina of the Mindener Yacht Club. All places are equipped with water, electricity and sewer connections. A large green area is available for tent campers. The modern sanitary facility offers a washing machine and dryer.last change: Apr. 2019

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Practical advice

The signposting of the Minden city center is designed to be very tourist-friendly, so that it is hardly a problem to find all the sights. Signposts can actually be found everywhere, making orientation easier.

Free WiFi is also available in the city center.

• Tourist Information Minden, Domstrasse 2, 32423 Minden. Tel.: 49 571 8290659, Email: [email protected]. last change: not specified

trips

... to the other cities in the region Ostwestfalen-Lippe, to Hanover, Dortmund, to other regions Germany or in the Netherlands.

literature

Web links

• http://www.minden.de - Official website of Minden