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Town in Lower Saxony, Germany
Photo: Creator:Augustin von Moersperg, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Hamelin (German: Hameln) is a town in Lower Saxony, 50 km southwest of Hanover. It is the scene of the Pied Piper story (German: Rattenfänger von Hameln), about the man who expelled rats from the town by playing the pipe, and then abducted the town's children when the citizenry refused to pay him what they had agreed. The town is visited by some three million visitors each year and is easy to reach from Hannover by train (S-Bahn).
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Rattenfängerhaus
Renaissance building from 1602/03, with an elaborately decorated main façade and an inscription reminding of the Pied Piper legend.
Renaissance-style sandstone building dating from 1610–17. Pied Piper-themed carillon.
Castle and riding school/horse stables. Very beautiful and elegant. Tours available in English
Interesting for history fans, to see the site where the Nazis celebrated their harvest festivals, on the Bückeberg hillside. To get to the top requires quite a few stairs, but the views and historical value are rewarding.
Built in 1713-14
Lutheran, 11th-14th century.
Lutheran
Museum of local history in two neighbouring historic buildings (Renaissance-style sandstone Leisthaus and half-timbered Stiftsherrenhaus)
A bike path named one of the most beautiful and scenic rides in all of Germany.
Renaissance-style sandstone chateau in the Weser Uplands, one of the best examples of Weser Renaissance architecture, housing an art collection, surrounded by an ensemble of gardens, church, outbuildings and a watermill.
Smoky pub serving dishes.
Pied Piper's House
One of the more famous buildings in Hameln's old-town area. A beautiful example of the architectural style of the Weser Renaissance.
Lovely little restaurant and beer garden a short bit away from the bustle of the main town and city centre.
By train
Since the year 2000, the S-Train Lines and have offered connections every half hour from Hannover's train station. Likewise, since 2002 hourly connections to Paderborn have been available.
On foot
The European far-distance hiking trail E11 passes through Hamelin on its way from the Netherlands, Osnabrück and the Porta Westfalica, continuing to the Harz mountains and Berlin.
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Hannover · International · HAJ
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