Minden, Germany Tourist Attractions
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The cathedral city of Minden lies in the Weser lowlands to the north of the Porta Westfalica, where the Weser breaks through the hills. It is an important center of inland shipping traffic thanks to its situation at the point where the Mittelland Canal crosses the Weser.Passenger shipsAt the Schachtschleuse (the lock which provides a link between the Mittelland Canal and the Weser) is the landing stage used by passenger ships on the Weser and the Canal (river and canal cruises; service between Minden and Vlotho in summer).
Cathedral
In the Domhof in Minden stands the Cathedral (11th-13th C.; R.C.), rebuilt after its destruction during the Second World War. It is the finest Early Gothic hall-church in Westphalia, with an Early Romanesque west work and Late Romanesque choir and transept. In the rich cathedral treasury, among much else, is the Minden Cross (1070).
Town Hall
In the Marktplatz in Minden is the Town Hall, with a vaulted arcade (13th C.; restored). In the adjoining Scharn, Minden's main business and shopping street, is Haus Hagemeyer (1592), in Weser Renaissance style.
St Mary's Church
To the northwest of the Markt, on the highest point in Minden's upper town, is the Marienkirche (11th C., rebuilt in 14th C.), with a tower 57 m/187ft high.
St Martin's Church
To the south of St Mary's in Minden can be found the Martinikirche (originally Romanesque, rebuilt in Gothic style), with Late Gothic choir-stalls, a Renaissance font and a Baroque organ. Beyond it is the "Windloch", a picturesque and very narrow house - the oldest in the town.
Museum
Ritterstrasse in Minden leads south to the Minden Museum (folk art and traditions, peasant culture, crafts, costumes, shipping on the Weser, militaria), the Late Gothic St Simeon's Church and the 15th C. St Maurice's Church.
Intersection of Weser and Mittelland Canal
To the north of Minden is the intersection of Minden's two waterways, where the Mittelland Canal crosses the Weser at a height of 13 m/43ft on an aqueduct 375 m/410yd long. In the exhibition hall are working models of locks, etc.
Westphalian Gate
At the Porta Westfalica, 6km/4mi south of Minden, the Weser breaks through the Wesergebirge and Wiehengebirge in a breach 800m/0.75mi wide. On the Wittekindsberg to the west can be seen the Emperor William Monument (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal; 1896), from which there is a magnificent view of the Weser valley. On the Jakobsberg to the east is a telecommunications tower.The Porta Westfalica to the south of Minden is the climax of a trip through the Weser valley, with the old princely capital of Bückeburg a few kilometers away.
Potts Park
In Dützen, 5km/3mi west of Minden, lies Potts Park, a leisure and amusement park which is a children's paradise, with a model railroad, an aerodrome, an aircraft, a submarine and a variety of other entertainment.
Westphalian Windmill and Watermill Route
The Westphalian Windmill and Watermill Route, of which there are three variants, all starting from Minden, takes in some 40 historic old windmills and watermills and a dozen other features of interest. On certain days, some of the mills are set in motion and biscuits and cakes are sold.
Kleinbremen Iron-mine
At Kleinbremen is an old iron-mine, now a show mine for visitors. It is reached on a nostalgic rail-car from Minden.
