Location: Paderborn
Top Things to do in Paderborn
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10 Things to Do in Paderborn That You Shouldn't Miss
Paderborn (German pronunciation: [paːdɐˈbɔʁn] ( listen)) is a city in eastern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, capital of the Paderborn district. The name of the city derives from the river Pader and "born", an old German term for the source of a river. The river Pader originates in more than 200 springs near Paderborn Cathedral, where St. Liborius is buried.
Restaurants in Paderborn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By MarinaMj - Auckland, New Zealand
Wonderful from the outside and inside. Incredible iron gates from the 1600's inside with 3D illusions giving the impression there is more depth. Walk around the whole church including the side altars. Don't miss the crypt it's amazing with the mosaics! And a peacock mosaic too. To find the drei hasen fenster (three rabbit window) walk out the door to the left of the altar and then along the corridor you will see it if you look out the clouded window. Currently construction work going on. Also inside crypt very old graves.
2. HNF MuseumsForum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By Sonny-A-H - Radeberg, Germany
As retired Senior Electrical Engineer I felt deeply impressed by this exhibition of technical science beginning at the very first calculators of the ancient times long before Christ. As Heinz Nixdorf was one of the most remarkable guys of the end of last century with a very good sense for prgressive engineering and manufacturing on a large scale, we now admire his success and input to the regions development.
3. Schloss Neuhaus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By Rebecca J - Hastings, United Kingdom
Such a lovely place to visit with young children. Beautiful walks on a Sunday, finding a different route each time. There's a wonderful large play area for the children to burn off some energy and a little cafe for drinks and ice creams. The house itself it very impressive. You can also do a bit of wildlife spotting. Perfect place for long walks and biking.
4. Rathaus
Overall Ratings
4 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By springlering - Marietta, Georgia
We went an hour and a half out of our way to visit Paderborn, just because it sounded intriguing. We were a little nervous on the very gritty, industrial drive to the Dom. This little town doesn't unroll the sidewalks til exactly 10am. If you arrive any earlier, chances are you'll be questioning the likelihood that aliens have snatched everyone.
However, we had a great time wandering around til things opened up. The Rathaus is straight out of my old Brothers Grimm fairytale books.
Just behind the Dom is a beautiful little park with an ancient canal and lock system, playground, and a couple of lakes.
Paderborn surprised us- in a good way. We will be back soon, and this time will spend a couple of days to relax and enjoy.
5. German Tractor and Model Car Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Count_Walter - Lippstadt, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
The Oskar Vogel Collection includes models from over 100 important German
tractor manufacturers such as Lanz, Hanomag, Deutz, MAN, Eicher and Schlüter, There even two Mercedes (sic!) tractors.
Numerous steam engines, cars and trucks are to be seen as well - and additionally a huge collection (some tenthousands!) of model cars, a petrol station from the 50's and ... ...
A museum for all ages!
6. Marktkirche
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Hadley B - Heidelberg, Germany
With its pink walls and gilded interior, this church feels more like a palace than a place of worship. It is worth a visit if in Paderborn, largely because it IS so different than the typical European church feel.
7. Marienplatz Paderborn
Overall Ratings
4 based on 48 reviews
8. Erzbischofliches Diozesanmuseum Paderborn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By springlering - Marietta, Georgia
This museum, housed in a rather forbidding looking building, is surprisingly light and airy inside, and has some choice items on display.
The giant, framed bobbin lace was astoundingly detailed. Amazing it had survived in that condition all those years. I've tried my hand at filet crochet and can only marvel at the singlemindedness it took to create and assemble that masterwork.
There are two gorgeous silver statues that had large rock crystal reliquaries on their chest.
The exhibition of bishops capes and mitres from the 15th century to current times was phenomenal. Only because they were treasured religious objects in their own right have they survived so long. You really have to look for the door to this exhibit, byw, because it is designed to keep damaging light out.
The exhibition of caskets and tiny altar boxes downstairs was simply amazing as well. I'm afraid I tend to think of someone in the 11th century practically running around in animal skins, but to then come face up against such craftsmanship and delicacy is breathtaking- and disconcerting!
Finally a highlight for me was the exhibit on calligraphy. Materials and a terrific video demonstrate the techniques used to create illuminated manuscripts. I could have watched that all day.
Be sure to look for peacocks throughout the museum. The peacock is the emblem of the patron saint of Paderborn, Liborius.
One short warning. All displays, etc are in german. I tried to use the Google translate app on an exhibition card, and upset a guard who thought I was photographing priceless treasures. Hopefully after demonstrating the app, they'll either loosen up- or provide some translations. I would still recommend going. Even with the language barrier, the beautiful presentation of these spectacular treasures made it worth it.
9. Museum in der Kaiserpfalz (Imperial Palace Museum)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Count_Walter - Lippstadt, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
The Imperial Palace not only provides the visitor with
a fascinating historical overview, but also charts Paderborn’s place in world history.
With its ceremonial chapels and ancient cellars, the Imperial Palace presents a
fascinating picture of life in the first half of the eleventh century and is well worth a visit. (Do visit the little chapel halfway between the museum and the Cathedral, close to the museum's entrance: it's the oldest chapel in Byzantine style north of the Alps. - And before entering the Cathedral from that side, do look at the sources and steps under the Cathedral, you can switch on the illumination on the right side of the window.)
10. The Adam-and-Eve-House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Hanmin J - Woking, United Kingdom
Due to the reorganization of city's museum, it is now closed. But, it is the town's oldest half-timbered house with very beautiful exterior, and even better, it is located in old town center. You can visit here easily and just look around this beautiful building !
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