Kierspe is a town with a rich cultural tradition. This may have been nurtured through the years by the town’s own special elvish protectors. They are said to live in the Hülloch cave, and come sneaking out at night to protect — and trick — the locals.
Although the cave entrance was buried in World War II, work was started in 2008 to uncover it. Who knows what the locals are stirring up? It’s worth a hike out to have a look… and to begin to get a sense of appreciation for the area.
Kierspe has a bit of a fairyland landscape, so you can see how imaginations may have started stirring. Browsing through town you will also find many detailed architectural pieces to pique your fancy, too. Builders here have certainly spared no expense in bringing in good detail from every major architectural period, from Art Deco window bars to Romanesque spires.
Ironically, much of this beauty was paid for by destruction. The town was an early producer of gunpowder, and many local fortunes were built on centuries of war funds. Yet it is hard to condemn them, for they certainly contributed to a vibrant arts culture and calendar of events.
Jazz is especially notable here. There is a special winter jazz series in addition to the third Wednesday concerts that run all year. On Father’s Day, there is even a Kierpse-wide jazz brunch, too.
You will also enjoy the Christmas market, and the church festivals that happen seasonally. The town really embraces this kind of thing, so you shouldn’t be left with a sparse sight when you come here for events.
If you find the ground-level excitement less than perfectly fulfilling, remember you can always rise above it. The town offers hot air balloon tours of the whole region which are popular in summer and winter alike.
