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GERMANY | Hameln, Germany Travel Guide
Thursday, April 18, 2024
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Sightseeing in Hameln
Sightseeing in Hameln
Hameln is most famous for the Pied Piper and the town uses large painted rats, small rat-shaped breads, and rats everywhere to keep the legend alive. The main sights in the town, however, are the pretty buildings erected mostly in the 16th century when Hameln’s strategic position on the RiverWeser led to a long period of prosperity.
The attractions below are described in order, starting from Ostertor (10 minutes walk from the station) along Osterstraße, turning left into Bäckerstraße at the Markt. The main sights can be seen in a bit over an hour.
Osterstraße
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Just inside the former town walls is the Rattenfängerhaus (Rat Catcher’s House). This 1602 Weser Renaissance house has a lavishly decorated façade with small ornaments. The name derives from an inscription about the fairy tale on the wall facing Bungelosenstraße. The building now houses a restaurant.
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The Stiftherrenhaus, Osterstraße 8, is a half-timbered building dating from 1558 and has lovely wood-carved, mostly biblical figures on the slanted brackets (cleats). The Leisthaus, Osterstraße 9, was built in 1589 as another prime sample of the Weser Renaissance. It has a lovely two-storey oriel or bay window and richly decorated gable. Inside are the Städtische Museum (Local History), and a pleasant café. The museum recalls the tale and has displays of other local history and cultural objects.
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The Hochzeithaus (Wedding House), Osterstraße 2, a beautiful Weser Renaissance building, was erected in 1610-17. Constructed as a huge reception hall (43 m/142 feet long) for the community, it has three gables and typical stone band work.
Markt
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The Markt (Market Square) is the heart of the old town. The Early Gothic Marktkirche St Nicolai (Market Church of St Nicolas), was destroyed in World War II by artillery fire but rebuilt. The golden boat on its tower reminds viewers that this was once the church of the shipping guild. Note the Pied Piper mosaic window on the south side.
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The Dempterhaus, Am Markt, is another Weser Renaissance building. It was built in 1607 and has two stone floors, plus a half-timbered third storey and gable.
Bäckerstraße
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The Löwenapotheke (Lion’s Pharmacy), corner of Bäcker and Wendenstraße, is a Gothic building from around 1300.
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The nearby Rattenkrug (Rat’s Tankard), Bäckerstraße 16, houses the oldest restaurant in town. Parts of the building date from 1250 but it was converted into a Weser Renaissance structure with a five-floor gable in 1568.
Münsterkirchhof
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The Münster St Bonifatius, Münsterkirchhof, is where the original monastery was built. A 12th-century Romanesque basilica was converted into the present Gothic hall church in the 13th century. The huge polygonal tower affords great views of the region – ask for the key at the cashier. The crypt underneath the choir dates from 1120.
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