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Soest: Culture, History and Nature

Accommodation in Soest

2 adults · no children · 1 room
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Soest combines more than 1,000 years of urban history with museums, historic churches and various guided tour formats. In the wider Soest district, the river meadows, fields and meadows of the Soest Börde, extensive woodland areas, as well as villages and historic towns complement the picture of the visitor region. If you are looking for accommodation in Soest, you can therefore organise your stay around cultural experiences in the city or excursions into the district’s countryside.

Key facts on the topic

  • The Osthofentor Museum explains the city’s more than 1,000-year history and topographical development using information panels, large-format texts, photos, graphics and a city model.
  • The LiebesLeben_Museum sees itself as a modern science centre where participation, interaction, experimentation and learning take centre stage; it is aimed at people aged 5 to 95.
  • The Museum Wilhelm Morgner with RAUM SCHROTH presents temporary exhibitions and a permanent exhibition by the Soest Expressionist Wilhelm Morgner.
  • The Burghof Museum focuses on urban and church history, displays engravings by Heinrich Aldegrever (1502 to around 1555), and presents the exhibition “Everyday Life in the Middle Ages”.
  • The largest contiguous woodland area in North Rhine-Westphalia is located in the Arnsberg Forest Nature Park in the southern Soest district.
  • Soest offers around 30 themed guided tours, including historical tours, the Soest Menu Safari and the Moonlight Promenade.

Culture and History in Soest

For a stay focused on cultural history, the Osthofentor Museum offers a structured introduction to the city’s development. Information panels, texts, photos, graphics and a city model cover both Soest’s long history and its topography. The Burghof Museum has a different focus: Its topics include urban and church history, Heinrich Aldegrever’s engravings and the exhibition “Everyday Life in the Middle Ages”.

Art also has its own place in Soest. At the Museum Wilhelm Morgner with RAUM SCHROTH, you can combine a permanent exhibition by the Soest Expressionist Wilhelm Morgner with temporary exhibitions. St. Maria zur Wiese, also known as the “Wiesen Church”, is one of Germany’s finest High Gothic hall churches. The foundation stone for the present parish church was laid in 1313. Its features include significant 14th-century stained glass and the “Westphalian Last Supper”, created around 1500.

Guided Tours, Events and Active Experiences

The approximately 30 themed guided tours provide different ways to explore the city. Historical tours focus on the past, while the Soest Menu Safari includes culinary stops. As an evening format, the Moonlight Promenade offers another opportunity to discover Soest at a special time of day.

A recurring historical experience is the Soest Feud. The medieval festival takes place in Soest every two years and brings together more than 900 participants from 12 European nations. For families or groups with different interests, the LiebesLeben_Museum offers an interactive approach. The science centre focuses on participation and experimentation and is aimed at people between the ages of 5 and 95.

Those looking for an active outing will find opportunities for cycling, hiking, water sports, climbing, skydiving, gliding and relaxation in gardens in the Soest district. In the southern part of the district, the Arnsberg Forest Nature Park also offers a woodland-rich landscape. The Soest climbing park has specific access requirements: On opening days, it is accessible to people at least 1.40 m tall. Children who are at least 1.30 m tall and at least 6 years old can use courses 1 and 2 when accompanied by an adult.

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Other Destinations in the Regional Context

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Soest, you can find Warstein as well as Märkischer Kreis, Lippe, Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, Mettmann, Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis, Oberbergischer Kreis and Höxter here.

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FAQ

What does the Osthofentor Museum show?

The museum provides an overview of Soest’s more than 1,000-year history and topographical development. Among other things, it uses information panels, photos, graphics and a city model.

What art can you see in Soest?

The Museum Wilhelm Morgner with RAUM SCHROTH presents a permanent exhibition by the Soest Expressionist Wilhelm Morgner as well as temporary exhibitions. St. Maria zur Wiese is known for its 14th-century stained glass and the “Westphalian Last Supper”, created around 1500.

What topics does the Burghof Museum cover?

The topics include urban and church history, engravings by Heinrich Aldegrever (1502 to around 1555), and the exhibition “Everyday Life in the Middle Ages”.

How often does the Soest Feud take place?

The Soest Feud is a medieval festival that takes place in Soest every two years. More than 900 participants from 12 European nations take part.

What activities are available in the Soest district?

Activities mentioned include cycling, hiking, water sports, climbing, skydiving, gliding and relaxation in gardens. The largest contiguous woodland area in North Rhine-Westphalia is also located in the Arnsberg Forest Nature Park in the southern Soest district.

To the overarching travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.