Warendorf is located in North Rhine-Westphalia along the Ems River. The closest major city is Münster which is about 30 km (18 mi) away.
The Old Town center is a beautifully preserved relic of the medieval period. The quaint, irregular-shaped, colorful buildings almost don’t appear to be real. You may wonder if you’ve wandered onto a Hollywood movie set.
There is also lots of outdoorsy recreation in this town. There are many bicycle routes that will take you through the beautiful nature of this region. The clean air and greenery are a refreshing way to enjoy your time in this town.
Warendorf is a very sporty place as well. It has been the site of several international sporting events. The skydiving world championship has been held here, as well as the national swimming competition.
But the activity for which this town is best known is undoubtedly horseback riding. The German Riding School can be found in Warendorf. Horse breeding is one of the main industries, and riders and trainers alike flock to the town for this reason.
Each October, the annual Stallion Parade takes place. This three hour show attracts tens of thousands of guests who come to take in the twenty different acts. More than one hundred stallions perform colorful and impressive feats that are sure to delight.
Another horse-related event is the Symphony of Stallions in the summer. Again, these beautiful animals are on display, adorned in a Prussian-style uniform. The show is set to classical music and there is delicious food to sample following another wonderful act.
There are some non-stallion events in town too! One of the most important town festivals happens every August for the religious holiday, the Feast of the Assumption. The Warendorf townspeople celebrate the day that Mary, mother of Jesus, ascended to heaven, her body and soul together. It is a day of prayer and the collecting of herbs, which may be displayed in the home.
