Clustered with half-timbered buildings, Lemgo is a historic Hanseatic town in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It was originally founded in the 12th century at the crossroads of two merchant trade routes and now forms part of an important region for mechanical engineering and industrial electronics.
Things to do in Lemgo
One of Lemgo’s most famous buildings is the Hexenbürgermeisterhaus, which is named after a 17th-century mayor and reported “witch hunter”. Its elaborate facade is designed in a Weser Renaissance style and is believed to have been built by the master mason Hermann Wulff. Replica torture instruments from the 1600s are on display in the Hexenbürgermeisterhaus Museum.
Named after its architect, the Karl Junkerhaus is an ornately carved wooden residence east of Lemgo. Admire its decorative exterior and gabled roof before exploring the interior, where furnishings crafted by Junker are on display. Connected to the back of the house is the Museum Junkerhaus, which exhibits paintings and sculptures by the artist.
Dominating Lemgo’s townscape is the striking tower of Schloss Brake, which was originally established in the 12th century and served as a residence for the counts of Lippe in the 16th century. Today, it houses the Weser Renaissance Museum, with highlights of the collection including rare paintings by Hans Vredeman de Vries, Paulus Moreelse and Philips Wouwerman. Adjacent is a riverside park and the historic buildings of the Lemgo-Brake railway station.
Getting around Lemgo
Lemgo is around 35 minutes’ drive from Bielefeld and just over an hour from Hanover Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Trains connect to the Lemgo railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Lemgo is compact enough to explore on foot.