Tourist Attractions in Bielefeld
Bielefeld, situated at an important pass through the hills of the Teutoburg Forest, is the economic and - with a recently founded university, a vocational college, a theater and concert and other halls - also the cultural center of Eastern Westphalia and Lippe. To the south of the old town center with its half-timbered houses is the well planned modern residential district of Sennestadt. For many centuries the manufacture of linen was the mainstay of the town's economy; nowadays the principal industry is engineering, followed by electrical apparatus and appliances, car manufacture, foodstuffs and clothing.
Bethel
The Bethel Homes, southwest of the Sparrenburg in Bielefeld, were founded by the Lutheran pastor Friedrich von Bodelschwingh (1831-1910).
Botanic Garden & Zoo
Just beyond the Western District of Bielefeld are the Botanic Garden and Olderdissen Zoo, which has over 1,000 European animals.
Crüwell-Haus
On Obernstrasse, one of Bielefeld's principal shopping and commercial streets is the Crüwell-Haus (c. 1530), with a magnificent stepped gable.
Farmhouse Museum
The Farmhouse Museum in the Western District of Bielefeld is an open-air museum with old houses and domestic equipment, a windmill, traditional costumes, etc.
Farmhouse Museum
Dornbergerstrasse 82
D-33617 Bielefeld
Germany
Dornbergerstrasse 82
D-33617 Bielefeld
Germany
Hours
February 1 to December 23
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Municipal Theater
The Art Nouveau Municipal Theater, to the east of the Alter Markt in Bielefeld, was built in 1904.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 11:00 | 13:00 | |
| Open | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Oerlinghausen - Open-Air Museum, Germany
(Near Bielefeld)
15km/9mi southeast of Bielefeld, at the foot of the Teutoburg Forest, is Oerlinghausen (pop. 16,000), with the Archaeological Open-Air Museum (dwellings and crafts of the prehistoric and early historical period).
Old Market Square
The central feature of the old town in Bielefeld is the Alter Markt, on the south side of which stands the Batig-Haus (1680), with a Renaissance gable. Opposite it is the Theater am Alten Markt.
Old Town Church of St Nicholas
The Altstädter Kirche (1340), north of the Markt in Bielefeld, has a fine carved altar from Antwerp.
Richard Kaselowsky House
Richard Kaselowsky House in Bielefeld is home to international works of art of the 20th C. Its displays a permanent collection that includes many exemplary pieces of German expressionism, and hosts temporary exhibitions.
Sparrenburg
The Sparrenburg (c. 1240) in Bielefeld has the old castle of the Counts of Ravensberg (underground defensive works, 37 m/121ft high tower) with a restaurant. The Sparrenburg has a festival with knightly tournaments and medieval plays with music.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Spiegels Hof
Spiegels Hof in Bielefeld is a 16th C. noble mansion with a fine clover-leaf gable. It is occupied at present by the Natural History Museum, for which a new building is planned.
St Jodokuskirche
Southwest of Bielefeld's Alter Markt, half concealed, stands the Late Gothic church of St Jodokus (1511), with a Black Virgin of 1220.
St Mary's Church
The twin-towered Late Gothic Marienkirche (14th C.) in Bielefeld has a number of fine monuments.
Waldhof Historical Museum
The Waldhof Historical Museum in Bielefeld is south of St Jodokus Church.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | 15:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
