I don’t think it’s fair that outdoorsy lovin’ folk are often called “tree huggers.” It has such a negative ring to it, don’t you agree? I mean, for real, if it wasn’t for the tree huggers places like the Teutoburg Forest / Eggegebirge Nature Park wouldn’t exist.
What’s this got to do with the Westphalian town of Dörentrup? Everything really, as the town lies in this great region and around nature protected areas.
It doesn’t matter if you hike it or bike it, the Teutoburg Forest and the Eggebirge are some pretty places. I like to pack a picnic and make a day of it. Ohhh, some bratwurst sounds good right about now.
As the least populated town in the Lippe District, you’ll have lots of space to spread out while you’re sightseeing. One of the most popular sites is the Water Castle Schloss Wendlinghausen. It’s a fine example of Weser Renaissance architecture and the setting for musical concerts, hence it’s granted a stop on the scenic Weser Renaissance Route.
But the Wendlinghausen Castle isn’t Dörentrup’s only Burg or Schloss. There are the ruins of Burg Alt-Sternberg (built 9th/11th century) whose walls and mounds are all that’s left, while New Sternberg didn’t come along until the 13th century.
These are just mere blips in time in Dörentrup’s history. At Amelungsburg some 300 pieces were found in an archaeological dig dating to around 250 B.C.
The good thing about Dörentrup’s castles they’re also where the town holds its Castle Festivals, including on the third Sunday of Advent. Sorry, I can’t tell you the exact date since it falls according to the Christian calendar.
I can give you a date for the Christmas Fair, that’s the last weekend of November.
When you’ve had enough of castles and festivals, a visit to the Railway Museum is a brilliant idea.
Or, take a swim around the pool (with both a diving board and waterslide) and walking around the Sculpture Park.
I’m a proud tree hugger (and hungry), so I’m off to the Teutoburg Forest / Eggegebirge Nature Park with my fellows — bratwurst included. ;-)
