Detmold Travel Guide

[ source: Wikipedia]

Detmold Overview

Detmold is a true gem hidden in the Teutoburg Forest in North Rhine—Westphalia. This relatively small city with a population of around 75,000 inhabitants offers a great variety of attractions for young and old. No matter if you are culturally interested, are into sports and outdoor activities, want to spend a fun holiday with your children or just relax in a picturesque town, Detmold is a fantastic place to be.

Detmold was the capital of the small Principality of Lippe from 1468 until 1918 and then of the Free State of Lippe until 1947. Today it is the administrative center of the district of Lippe and of Regierungsbezirk Detmold.

Fun things to do in Detmold

When visiting Detmold, at least half a day should be taken aside to spend at the LWL—Open—Air—Museum, which is a surreal experience for most people and usually great, wholesome fun for kids. On one square kilometer of cultural landscape you can get an intense impression of what life was like in the country in the past. The rural environment and more than 100 historical buildings trace more than 500 years of Westphalian history. Walking through these grounds and taking part in everyday activities of these relived past times, makes you truly feel like you have stepped into a lost world.

Another highlight is Aqualip, a huge water park with various indoor as well as outdoor pools, whirlpools, a wellness area, several kinds of saunas, and — probably most interesting for kids — and almost 300ft long slide.

Dining out in Detmold

From breakfast to dinner, Detmold has great restaurants for every occasion. If you like to start the day slowly and enjoy an extended brunch, go to Hotel Elisabeth (Elisabeth Strasse 5—7). Should you prefer to stay at home to eat, the best pastries can be bought at Bäcker Meffert (Krumme Strasse 2). The tasties lunch is served at Fischhaus Wörmann (Krumme Strasse 50) and if you want to eat flavorful local food in rustic atmosphere, just go to Lange Strasse in the town center. Here you can find the restaurants Weinstube and Strate`s Brauhaus, which are both located in quaint half—timbered houses and known for local beer and cuisine.

As a special tip, foodies are advised to visit Detmold in August when Lippe Kulinarisch takes place. At this festival various chefs from the region showcase their cooking and baking skills, and of course every visitor is encouraged to taste and enjoy.

Cultural highlights in Detmold

For anybody who is culturally interested, the Lippische Landesmuseum should be on their agenda. It was founded in 1835 as a natural—history museum and today houses an abundance of objects evolving around the topics prehistory, ethnology, regional history as well as interior architecture in general and furniture design in particular. This museum is just opposite Detmold Castle, which is a true fairy tale castle and can still be visited today. As old charters show, parts of Detmold Castle were already built by 1366. Originally this building was more of a fortress than the beautiful castle you can admire today. All through the Middle Ages the fortress was expanded but only as recently as in the 18th century the former fortress was renovated according to Baroque style and with this turned into a luxurious castle.