The best city hikes and walks around Blauer Lake

Must definitely be replaced soon too, it already looks so rusty

The first name Johannes has been widespread since biblical times, so it should not surprise us to find a whole series of blessed and holy figures with this name over the two millennia of Christianity. On the threshold of the Old and New Testaments, we encounter John the Baptist (also Johannes Baptist), to whom most Johannes churches are dedicated. But one of the four men who wrote the New Testament Gospels also bears this name.

The Jewish communities in Europe, whose centuries-old tradition is often only evidenced by memorial plaques or monuments, were – especially in these difficult times with a strongly growing, openly expressed antisemitism – honored with the award of the “International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen” to the President of the Conference of European Rabbis, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, and the Jewish communities in Europe. “In recognition of his outstanding work for peace, the self-determination of peoples and European values, for tolerance, pluralism and understanding, and in recognition of his significant commitment to interreligious and intercultural dialogue, the Directorate of the Society for the Award of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen in 2024 honors the President of the Conference of European Rabbis, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, and together with him the Jewish communities in Europe. With this award, the Charlemagne Prize Directorate wants to send the signal that Jewish life is naturally part of Europe and that there must be no place for antisemitism in Europe. Jewish life is an important part of European history and present – now and in the future. (...) With the President of the Conference of European Rabbis, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, and the Jewish communities in Europe, the Directorate of the Society for the Award of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen in 2024 honors the outstanding representative of European Jewry and Jewish life in Europe, which has enriched our continent for centuries and will always have and must have its place here.”

🎨 The Stirnberg Fountain (often simply called the Market Fountain) is a fascinating work of art located right on Dorsten's market square, inviting visitors of all ages to explore. Created in 1986 by the Aachen sculptor Bonifatius Stirnberg, it is a classic example of his "hands-on art."

🏛️ The Old Town Hall in Dorsten is one of the city's most striking and historically significant buildings. It is located directly on the central market square (Markt 1) and, together with St. Agatha's Church, forms the historical heart of the old town.

⛪ St. Agatha's Church is the main Catholic church in Dorsten's old town and looks back on almost 900 years of history. It is an impressive testament to the citizens' will to rebuild after the almost complete destruction of the city in 1945.

🌳 The southern moat in Dorsten is an essential part of the historic city fortifications and still shapes the green character of the old town. It is part of the so-called ring of walls that encircles the city center.

The old town hall is used, among other things, as a registry office.