For the first time this wonderful German town was mentioned in the so-called imperial chronicles in 798. In them, it was listed as the place of the imperial assembly of Charlemagne. Around the year 800, the emperor established a bishopric in this city. In 977, the settlement was granted customs rights, the right to a mint charter and free trade. Today this city (population - 84 thousand people) is the center of the East Westphalian region, as well as the historical and political center of the Minden land.
The article provides information about a small town in Germany - Minden: photo, description, sights.
Geographic location
At this point, the Weser River breaks through between the low ridges of Wien and Weser, and then leaves this mountainous country, after which its waters enter the territory of the North German Plain. Minden is located just north ofthat breakthrough.
The German city of Minden stretches on both sides of the flat Weser, but its southern regions (Dützen, Heverstadt and Haddenhausen) occupy the northern slopes of the Wien ridge. The city center is located at a distance of about five kilometers north of the mountains, on the border of the Middle Weser Valley and the Lübbeck loess plain. The division of these two natural complexes is clearly expressed in the relief of the city. He divides it into lower and upper Minden.
The city is located 40 kilometers from Bielefeld, 55 kilometers from Hannover, 60 kilometers from Osnabrück and 100 kilometers from Bremen. The highest point of Minden (Germany) is located in the Haddenhausen region (180.5 meters above sea level), and the lowest point is in the Leteln region (40.3 meters). The mark 42.2 m is indicated on the city hall. Minden was and is still subject to floods quite often due to its location on the Weser floodplain.
About the name of the city
The German town of Minden has a name slightly similar to the names of other settlements. Initially, it was often confused with Münden (located in the Electorate of Hanover), also located on the Weser River.
In order to distinguish between these cities, some clarification was introduced: Münden became known as Hanoversch-Münden (there is also Preussisch-Minden in Prussia).
History of the formation of the city
Minden (Germany) was founded around 800. Before the Peace of Westphalia, it was, as noted above, the center of the Catholic diocese of Minden. Subsequently, Minden becameruled by the Principality of Brandenburg-Prussia and expanded into a walled city. At the same time, it turned into the administrative center of the Minden Principality, and in 1719 received the status of the center of the Minden-Ravensberg region. Minden became the center of the administrative district of the same name in 1816.
Currently, the city is known not only for historical monuments, but also for its unique bridge, thrown at the intersection of the Central German Canal with the Weser River. There are numerous buildings of the Weser Renaissance in Minden, as well as a cathedral, which is an important architectural landmark.
Sights of Minden
Germany as a whole is rich in ancient architectural monuments. The center of Minden is decorated with colorful houses of merchants and burghers, as well as medieval churches. There is a Prussian museum (former barracks) on Simeonplatz, as well as a former food warehouse in the cemetery of St. Martin. These buildings date back to the era of the Prussian architects Gilly and Schinkel.
The city center is characterized by historical buildings, including the oldest town hall with a Gothic gazebo (XIII century) and a 1200-year-old cathedral, and half-timbered houses for the Upper Town. All this testifies to the turbulent history of the city.
Magnificent Renaissance buildings and the Minden Museum are located in the old part of the city. The region is also unique with the ship-mill, which has its own berth on the banks of the Weser River and was put into operation in 1998.
One of the most unique structures in Germany and Minden is the water bridge, which is 370 meters long and is the second longest in Europe (the first is in Magdeburg). Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the Central German Canal flows right through it, and it is thrown across the Weser River.
It should be noted that nowhere in Germany there are so many different mills. Fields, meadows and parks between the Wiengebirge mountains, the Weser river and Lake. Dummer are strewn with them. These mills were designed not only to grind flour for baking bread, but also to grind oats to produce the famous local beer, which was known even during the heyday of the Hansa.
Cultural and sports venues and events
The German city of Minden is located on the way of one of the most popular cycling routes - Weserradweg. It is visited by thousands of tourists and cyclists every year.
The city is also known for its cultural diversity. Of no small importance for the entire region are not only museums of local history, history and local folklore, but also the city theater, which attracts many visitors. Minden is the center of jazz music.
The city has a wonderful cultural center, an open-air stage, a theater on the Weingartan and a beach. Minden is also athletic. Many clubs offer conditions for practicing a variety of sports: canoeing and kayaking, high-class handball, archery, baseball and more. dr. Blaue Band der Weser is one of the largest water sports events in Europe, which takes place here every 2year.
In closing
The German city of Minden has many interesting sights to offer its guests. At night, the picturesque streets of its central part sparkle with lively cafes and bars.
Due to the many roads, bus and train routes in Germany, getting to this economically developed and prosperous cultural center is quite easy.
