Historischer Stadtrundgang Wiedenbrück

We start our tour at the "Auf der Schanze" parking lot, pass the Florian Bridge and cross the "Neupförtner Wall" in the direction of Klingelbrink.

Take a look to the right at Haus Gröne (Klingelbrink 25), a perfect combination of modern commercial building and old half-timbered house. In addition to the typical entrance gate, marvel at the so-called Drudenfuss, a carving that was supposed to drive away witches and evil spirits in the Middle Ages.

Further straight ahead on the street "In der Halle 2" you will find Haus Hemmelmann. Highly interesting pictures of animals, fables and people adorn the façade, which is well worth seeing. Continue to the market square. On the left, the mighty gable of the Ottens house towers upwards. The building was erected in 1635 for 2500 Reichstaler. By way of comparison, a teacher earned 50 Reichstaler a year at the time.

A brief pause is offered at the bronze statue of the "Praying Countryman". It is a reminder of the Benedictine monastic rule "Ora et labora - pray and work".

Now take a trip down memory lane and take a look at the surrounding houses, which are well worth seeing. The magnificent half-timbered house at Markt 11 is certainly one of the most beautiful houses in Wiedenbrück. The "profound" lettering and carvings on the façade are extremely fascinating.

Now make a short stop at the historic town hall, which now serves as a registry office and dates back to 1619. Take a look at the "envious head" (north side at the bottom, 3rd bar from the left), which served as a symbol of defense against evil. In front of the entrance to the town hall is a bronze relief of the town view from 1644.

Back across the market square, past Haus Ottens on the right up Lange Straße. Cross the road at Konrad-Adenauer-Platz and pass the Ems until you reach the small lake. From here you have a wonderful view of the city. Return to Lange Straße, which you can continue to follow and admire the beautiful old farmhouses.

At the end of the street, turn right into Mönchstraße. At the end of this street, below the large arch, is the former Franciscan monastery with St. Mary's Church.

Ostenstraße branches off from Mönchstraße and becomes Rietberger Straße. On the right-hand side, turn into the "Hoetger-Gasse" cul-de-sac and you will reach the Wiedenbrücker Schule Museum, a unique museum in Germany with a remarkable collection of sacred art.

The tour continues via the square at the back onto the Reumont Promenade. Walk along the beautifully landscaped path. Now cross the street "Am Neuen Werk" and come to the Reckenberg, an old prince-bishop's collegiate castle.

Cross the Wasserstraße and continue walking through the Beckerpassage and finally come to Marienstraße.

Follow it for a few meters and you will come to one of the most magnificent buildings in the city, as the St. Aegidius Church rises majestically into the sky. The front transept dates back to the 13th century. The first church is thought to have been built in this area as early as 785. There are also magnificent historical buildings with decorative ornaments and carvings around the pretty church. You should take some time to look around here. For example, the house opposite the church tower at Kirchplatz 1 is extremely worth seeing.

However, Wiedenbrück is also a modern town and this is impressively symbolized by the Stadthaus. Built in 1985, the building now houses the administration of the VHS Reckenberg-Ems and the municipal library.

From the last highlight of the tour, the Aegidius Church, the route finally leads across the market into the street "In der Halle" via the "Neupförtner-Wall" back to the parking lot "Auf der Schanze"