Menden (Sauerland): History and Discoveries
Accommodation in Menden
Menden (Sauerland) invites you to explore its history from different perspectives: through an exhibition about the witch hunts, in a medieval defensive tower and through the collections of the town museum. There are also opportunities to observe nature at Hexenteich, family activities to join in and insights into industrial history. This lets you tailor your stay to your family’s interests rather than focusing on just one type of excursion.
Der Teufelsturm gehört zu den erhaltenen mittelalterlichen Wehrtürmen in Menden.
Photo: Stefan Didam - Schmallenberg via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Town History and Special Places
The exhibition “47 Witch Shrines” by Ulla Brockfeld and Dagmar Müller commemorates the victims of the witch hunts and takes an in-depth look at their fate. Another way to explore the past is to visit Poenige Tower: it was one of the twelve defensive towers formerly incorporated into Menden’s town wall. Today, the medieval defensive tower combines an original historical setting with a modern art installation. Here, you can experience the impregnable nature, height and coldness of a stone fortress tower.
The town museum’s collections also offer a broad perspective across time. They span from the Palaeolithic era to the 20th century and reflect how people in Menden and the surrounding region lived across different periods and social classes. The museum is housed in the 1730 patrician house of the merchant and mayor Biggeleben. The historic house and the collection each offer a different focus: one centres on the history of an 18th-century building, the other on the long span of human life in the region.
Rodenberg Castle Ruins on Hünenköpfchen are another medieval remnant. Exposed walls and the remains of the rampart and moat reveal the surviving traces of the site; the location also offers far-reaching views. Those interested in historic structures will find a different impression here than at Poenige Tower: the ruins are defined by visible remains, while the defensive tower combines historic fabric with a modern art installation.
Family Activities and Nature Watching
Arche Noah Menden offers creative hands-on programmes and treasure hunts throughout the year. Families can discover the forest, water and wilderness through play. The activities encourage curiosity and participation, and can therefore bring a different focus to your holiday than a visit centred on exhibitions and historic sites.
At Hexenteich, you can look out for the red-eared and yellow-bellied turtles that live there. They can be observed along a peaceful circular path at sunny spots by the water. For families who enjoy watching animals and taking time for a moment in nature, this is a practical complement to Menden’s cultural and historical attractions. Another way to get children involved is at Gut Rödinghausen, where there is a treasure hunt for children.
Gut Rödinghausen combines this activity with an insight into Menden’s industrial history: a free audio tour covers the subject. The children’s treasure hunt offers a distinct focus and a reason to explore the site in a different way. This allows different family members’ interests to be accommodated, without every shared experience needing to have the same focus.
Cycling and Menden Traditions
The Ruhr Valley Cycle Route stretches for 240 kilometres, with just under 6 kilometres running through Menden. This information helps you see the Menden section as part of a much longer cycling route. A Bessemer converter from the Rödinghausen ironworks stands in Menden as a landmark on a cycling trail, commemorating the area’s industrial history. Both details give cycling its own place in exploring Menden, without implying that the landmark is part of the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route.
A tradition that takes place every year is the tower-blowing ceremony on Christmas Eve. It is held in the square in front of the Old Town Hall, and many people from Menden attend with their families and friends. When planning your stay around particular themes, you can choose between cultural experiences like these, activities for children and nature watching at Hexenteich. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may therefore help to first consider which of these experiences matter most to your family.
Tours and Other Destination Pages
Tours of the Menden Town Museum can still be booked for agreed dates. The Menden museums also offer town and museum tours focusing on history, culture and specific themes. Private group tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance and usually last 60 to 90 minutes. This information can help you work a tour into your schedule during your stay.
Other destination pages in this broader selection: Lüdenscheid, Altena, Balve, Werdohl, Schalksmühle, Herscheid, Plettenberg, Neuenrade.
View the broader travel overview: Märkischer Kreis.
