Sure, we have big cities with hundreds of years of history and more museums than you could ever visit during one stay. And if all you ever did was stay in these big cosmopolitan cities you’d be missing out on the real Germany: Places like the Westphalian town of Tecklenburg; filled with little lanes framed by ivy covered cottages.
But don’t sweat… Tecklenburg also has hundreds of years of history; and nowhere is this more evident than at Burg Tecklenburg.
As much as this is your average 13th century castle, this one is special because it was built not by some baron looking to show that his “burg is bigger than your burg” (wink-wink). Tecklenburg Castle was built by a woman — the Countess Anna von Tecklenburg-Schwerin to be more precise.
Guided tours of the castle are available and a good idea if you want to see the castle’s underground passages. Consider yourself lucky if you’re able to enjoy a concert at Burg Tecklenburg’s outdoor theater while you’re here.
Other guided tours of Tecklenburg are available (mostly from April to October) with themes such as Night Watchman tours, Robber Baron tours, Ghost Tours, and one that takes the “Witches Path” filled with all sorts of myths, legends, and caves.
One of the best tours doesn’t include witches or goblins but alpacas. Alpacas? Yes, the furry animals that look like llamas. Take a ride on one, it’ll be loads of fun!
Sightseeing in Tecklenburg doesn’t end there. As you’re walking along many framework houses (dating from the 16th-18th centuries) there’s the Doll Museum, the Culture House, the Monastery Church, and Wasserschloss Marck (ohh, a moat!).
Tecklenburg really is a spectacular town, no wonder pilgrims walking on the St. James Way really wanted to come through here on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. But, this place is so special… I’d walk all the way from Siberia just to see it in its own right. ;-)
