The best city hikes and walks in Kreis Lippe

The Canal Promenade is popular for cycling, walking, and dog walking and is nicely shaded. There are always places to sit and linger 😉

The first fortification of the city of Lemgo after its founding probably consisted only of a rampart and a ditch. It was not until the middle of the 13th century that a city wall with gates and towers was built. This wall was constantly reinforced and repaired. In the second half of the 16th century, the systematic expansion into a fortress took place. At that time, triangular bastions, the so-called Homeien, were also built in particularly vulnerable areas. Various experts, so-called Wallmeisters (fortification masters), were hired for these works. The last one, Henrich vom Hartze, was appointed in 1622. During the Thirty Years' War, only repair work was carried out. Because in the meantime, it had been recognized in Lemgo that no matter how strong the city's fortification was, it offered no protection and would not withstand the firepower of cannons. They did not even let it come to a siege and bombardment. The violent storming by the Swedes in 1646 was due to the stubbornness of the imperial city commander. On the other hand, its relatively strong fortification made the city interesting for both warring parties, so they made sure not to have it at their backs and to occupy it with their own troops as much as possible. After the end of the war, Lemgo let its fortifications fall into disrepair. Since 1853, walls and towers were sold for demolition, so that only small remains have survived. The last city gate was demolished in 1876.

The "dispute over the barrel" inspired the Aachen sculptor Bonifatius Stirnberg in 1977 to create the fountain. In 1587, Count Simon VI had the government of the Detmold region relocated to Brake Castle, where many of the count's officials now had their workplace. Due to the high space requirements, additional buildings had even been erected to accommodate the chancellor and other officials. However, in most cases, the officials, like Chancellor Dr. Balthasar Knaust, preferred to live in Lemgo rather than in Brake, which is why many of them lived not far from the current location of the Chancellor's Fountain at Ostertor. A few years later, the people of Lemgo fell more and more out of favor with the count, and the "dispute over the barrel" was a point at which this dispute ignited. The town had introduced a beverage tax, which, in Simon VI's opinion, was done unlawfully. As a result, the count turned away from Lemgo more and more and towards Detmold. The fountain is also a popular play and photo motif, especially among children and visitors to the town. Water flows from the top of a barrel, which, according to the artist, is filled with precious Mindener Bräuhahn beer, and around the edge of the basin are the parties involved in the dispute as bronze figures with movable joints. The expressive faces and the flexibility of the figures ensure that both young and old regularly want to shake their hands.

The Kurparksee (Spa Park Lake) forms the tranquil heart of the expansive spa park in Bad Salzuflen and is one of the most popular spots for walkers and spa guests. Created in the early 20th century along with the spa park itself, it continues to lend the park a relaxed atmosphere. Nestled among old trees, well-maintained paths, and in close proximity to the graduation towers, the lake reflects the quintessential combination that characterizes Bad Salzuflen: nature, recreation, and the tradition of the spa town. The Salze, the town's small river, flows through both the smaller and larger Kurparksee lakes, creating a vibrant, natural body of water right in the heart of the spa area. A stroll around the lake is worthwhile at any time of year: waterfowl, changing light, and the peaceful shoreline make the Kurparksee an ideal place for short breaks, photographs, or simply to breathe deeply. For many visitors, it is the most beautiful part of the spa park – a place where the special atmosphere of Bad Salzuflen can be experienced firsthand. https://www.teutoburgerwald.de/gesund/heilgarten/heilbaeder/bad-salzuflen

The old town of Bad Salzuflen is one of the most impressive half-timbered ensembles in East Westphalia-Lippe. Within a small area, one encounters a multitude of richly decorated houses from the 16th and 17th centuries – a time when salt production brought great prosperity to the town. This wealth is still evident today in the artistic carvings, inscriptions, and gable designs that adorn many facades. The houses on Lange Straße are particularly noteworthy, including buildings No. 33 (1612) and No. 35 (1618), whose detailed carvings are among the finest examples of Weser Renaissance architecture. The Backs House on Hafermarkt is also considered one of the last richly decorated half-timbered houses of its kind in the region. A stroll through the old town leads past former mayors' houses, the historic town hall, and numerous lovingly restored buildings that continue to shape the townscape. Nestled among narrow lanes, half-timbered facades, and the gentle murmur of the Salzuflen stream, the atmosphere of this old salt-producing town is particularly palpable. The half-timbered houses are an architectural highlight and simultaneously tell the story of a town whose cultural identity is inextricably linked to salt, craftsmanship, and trade. https://www.teutoburgerwald.de/gesund/heilgarten/heilbaeder/bad-salzuflen

The graduation tower with its clock tower on Salinenstraße is one of Bad Salzuflen's most striking landmarks and forms the historic gateway to the spa gardens. At 55 meters long and approximately 8.5 meters high, it is the smallest of the three graduation towers, but its clock tower makes it visible from afar. This tower is an original relic of the old graduation tower, which was built for salt production in 1768/69 and put into operation in 1770 – a direct glimpse into the time when Salzuflen was still an important salt-producing town. Today, the graduation tower, with its promenade, sun deck, and brine Kneipp arm bath, invites visitors to linger and breathe deeply. The fine brine atomizes on the blackthorn walls, creating a natural inhalatorium that is particularly popular with walkers and spa guests. The facility underwent extensive renovation in 2013 and has since combined historical building fabric with modern spa architecture. The graduation tower with its clock is a prime example of Bad Salzuflen's transformation: from a salt production site to a recognized spa town – a piece of living urban history that can be seen, felt, and breathed. https://www.teutoburgerwald.de/gesund/heilgarten/heilbaeder/bad-salzuflen

The Kurparksee (spa park lake) in Bad Salzuflen is the centerpiece of the expansive spa park and one of the town's most beautiful spots. Nestled among ancient trees, well-maintained walking paths, and the impressive graduation towers that have made Bad Salzuflen famous as a traditional spa town, the lake was created as part of the spa park's development in the early 20th century and lends the entire area a tranquil, almost fairytale-like atmosphere. With its reflective surface, waterfowl, and surrounding flowerbeds and greenery, it invites visitors to enjoy relaxing strolls, short breaks, or simply linger on its shores.

The graduation towers in Bad Salzuflen are among the most famous landmarks of this East Westphalian spa town and have shaped its cityscape for centuries. Originally used for salt production, they are now the heart of the local spa and health culture. The imposing wooden structures, filled with dense bundles of blackthorn, stretch for several hundred meters along the spa park, creating a unique atmosphere – a place where history, technology, and nature interact in an impressive way. The graduation towers were built in the 18th century to increase the salt concentration of the brine: The saline solution was channeled over the blackthorn walls, where it partially evaporated, leaving behind a more concentrated brine that was then used for salt production. Over time, the function of the structures changed – from production sites to places of health and relaxation. As early as the 19th century, spa guests discovered the beneficial effects of the salty air that arises at the graduation towers, reminiscent of a mild seaside climate. Today, the graduation towers form the heart of the Bad Salzuflen spa and landscape park. Visitors can stroll along the impressive wooden structures, breathe deeply, and enjoy the fine brine air, which offers natural relief for respiratory ailments. The graduation pavilion is particularly popular, providing a sheltered spot to relax amidst the brine mist. Well-maintained paths, benches, and flower gardens around the complex invite visitors to linger, and cultural events and guided tours regularly take place, illustrating the history and significance of the graduation towers. With a total length of approximately 660 meters, the Bad Salzuflen graduation towers are among the largest of their kind in Germany. They are not only historical monuments of engineering but also living symbols of the town's long spa tradition.