Bielefeld – Young and Innovative
With a population of 341,730, Bielefeld, in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, is one of Germany’s 20 largest cities. Founded in 1214 by Count Hermann IV of Ravensberg to guard a pass across the Teutoburg Forest, Bielefeld, later the “city of linen“ was a minor member of the Hanseatic League.
By Helen Cleary
A tour of Bielefeld‘s “old town” centre offers insight into the over 800 years of multifaceted city history; the old town hall in the style of the Weser Renaissance, the old marketplace with the impressive facades of the lovingly restored patrician houses, the Nicolai Church and St. Mary‘s Church with their precious altars, the Waldhof – the nucleus of the city – as well as the Kunsthalle, an architectural highlight of modernism and, according to Yoko Ono, the “most beautiful museum in the world“, are just a few of the sights worth seeing.
The Kunsthalle’s exhibitions concentrate on German and international art of the 20th and 21st century. The Historisches Museum (Museum of History) and the Bauernhausmuseum (Farmhouse Museum) take visitors on an exciting trip into the past. The historic rooms of Museum Wäschefabrik (Linen Factory Museum) recall the city’s days as a centre of the textile trade. While Arminia Bielefeld’s “MAFA” club museum tells a moving football tale, Dr. Oetker Welt traces the company’s journey from its first packet of baking powder to one of Germany’s most well-known brands.
Bielefeld has a vibrant, multi-layered cultural scene. The Linen-Weavers’ market festival attracts visitors with a programme of live music, variety acts, acrobatics, funfair attractions and culinary delights. During the Carnival of Cultures over 2,000 participants make their way through Bielefeld city centre with creative costumes and spectacular floats.
In July, knights, men-at-arms and travelling entertainers take visitors back to the Middle Ages at the Sparrenburg Castle (the city’s landmark), which was built around 1200.
Classical music enthusiasts appreciate the acoustics of Rudolf-Oetker-Halle. Bielefeld Theatre combines song, dance and acting under one roof. The Dance Festival attracts dance aficionados from all over the world.
Every year, around 19,000 young people come to Campus Bielefeld, one of the most progressive locations for science and education with Bielefeld University and the University of Applied Sciences, to experience the biggest music festival of its kind in Germany. An annual late opening night for museums, churches and galleries offers an exceptional cultural experience with exhibitions and performances while light projections cast a magical spell on the city.
The people of Bielefeld cheer and celebrate along with the Arminia football team. The 31.1-kilometre mini-marathon from the Hermann monument in Detmold to the Sparrenburg Castle along the scenic Hermannsweg hiking path is extremely popular.
Bielefeld means city life in the middle of the forest – with parts of the city in the TERRA.vita Nature Park and the Teutoburg Forest/Eggegebirge Nature Park. The hill-range stretching across the city area, the Botanic Garden, the Obersee, the Japanese Garden, Olderdissen Wildlife Park … all offer recreation.
Why don’t you pay a visit to the city which some claim does not exist; you will be surprised at what you find.