Porta Westfalica - Von Wanderschuhen, dem Willem und der Wittekindsburg

You start your hike at the ship mill in Minden. It is a fully functional replica based on plans from the 19th century. When you hear the creaking of the water wheel and the splashing of the water, turn your gaze south towards Porta Westfalica. There you will see your destination for today: the Wiehengebirge with the Kaiser Wilhelm monument.

Hike along the Weser for around 6 kilometers to the monument. Due to its elevated position on the Wittekindsberg above the breakthrough of the Weser through the mountains, the "Gateway to Westphalia", the Willem can already be seen from the highway. The monument, designed by the renowned architect Bruno Schmitz, was built by the then Prussian province of Westphalia at the end of the 19th century. From its circular terraces, you have an impressive view of the beginning of the North German Plain. Since summer 2018, you can find out more about the monument at the information center. There is also a restaurant at the monument.

Your path leads you west. After about one kilometer, you will reach the Moltketurm tower, from where you have an excellent view of the surrounding mountains. The tower made of Porta sandstone was once used as a signal point for land surveying. After a short walk, you finally reach Wittekindsburg Castle, a hilltop castle with walls and ramparts that served as a refuge. The area is around 660 m long and 100 m wide. Today, you will find the "Wittekindsburg" excursion restaurant, built at the end of the 19th century, in this area. A little to the south, hang-gliders take off over the Wiehengebirge. The Wittekindsburg was probably built when the Wittekind spring dried up. Around 1900, it was given a temple-like, semi-circular stone setting with a stone relief depicting the legend of the "miracle of the spring". Unfortunately, this was later stolen. According to legend, the pagan Saxons fought against the conquest and Christianization of the Franconian king Charlemagne in the 8th century. It was here that Saxon Duke Widukind converted to Christianity after his horse uncovered a spring by scraping its hooves. Peace was then concluded in his castle with the words "This castle shall now be 'mine and yours'". According to legend, the town of Minden got its name from Charlemagne's reply "So let it also bear the name Min-din". St. Margaret's Chapel, which was mentioned in documents as early as the 13th century, is also located on the castle grounds. On the occasion of its restoration in 1842, a lime tree was planted in the presence of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV and his wife, which can still be admired today as the "Königslinde".

A little further on you will find the Kreuzkirche, a church building that was uncovered in the 1990s and dates back to the 10th century. The name comes from the fact that the foundation walls were built in the shape of a Greek cross. The ruin, which is now protected by a glass structure, is a real rarity: only four comparable buildings are known from this period.

After this extensive hike, the route back to Minden fortunately leads downhill via the Burgweg and Kapellenweg towards Barkhausen. Walk down the Philosophenweg along the mountain and you will reach the center of Aulhausen. The small Weserufer road takes you back to the Weser cycle path, which takes you the last few kilometers back to the city.