Old Town Nienburg/Weser

Where the Weser makes one of its many curves between Bremen and Minden lies Nienburg with over 1000 years of history. The town, which today has around 32,000 inhabitants, was first mentioned in a document in 1025 and was an important fortress town at the Weser crossing in the Middle Ages. Lovingly restored half-timbered buildings, Burgmannshöfe such as the Posthof (library), the Hakenhof or the Fresenhof (museum), farmer's houses or patrician houses bear witness to the history of Nienburg. In addition to Europe's most beautiful weekly market, an award from the "Living City" foundation, there is an interesting museum landscape. From special museums such as the Lower Saxony Asparagus Museum and the Lower Saxony Police Museum to a lapidary (stone collection) and the regional museum for the Middle Weser region. In the museum garden stands the largest asparagus sculpture in the world. At the end of the 18th century, Nienburg was enriched by a closely guarded French sponge cake recipe: the "Nienburg bear paws" made of sponge cake dough. The original Nienburg bear paws no longer exist. Various Nienburg bakers offer their own creations, but you can also get to know "Nienburg bear paws" in other ways. Embark on a search for traces of the city's sights, follow the painted bear paws at a deliberate pace. 500 "footprints" of this special kind guide you through the entire old town and serve as orientation for visitors who are enthusiastic about history. The 3.3 km long circular route is described in detail in a brochure. And if you want to experience the city from the water, you can take a boat trip on the Weser. In addition to round trips and coffee trips, the passenger ship of the Weser fleet also offers barbecue and event trips in the direction of Minden or Hoya. Large tourist routes run through Nienburg. In addition to the German Fairy Tale Route and the German Half-Timbered Houses Route, the Lower Saxony Asparagus Road runs through the city. Nienburg asparagus is known far beyond the borders of the city and region. And if you prefer to travel by bike, you can do so on the Weser Cycle Path, one of the most popular German long-distance cycle routes.