Top 20 Lakes around Hameln

Between 1550 and 1680, around 400 people were executed in the County of Schaumburg for alleged witchcraft. The witch trials, which claimed the lives of both women and men, were conducted in the villages by the local courts. In Schaumburg, some judges, at the request of the accused, ordered the so-called water ordeal to be carried out "to ascertain the truth," because according to traditional beliefs, water repelled evil, meaning witches would float and innocent people would sink. During the water ordeal, the accused were tied to a rope and lowered into the water before the eyes of the judges and numerous onlookers, invariably producing the desired result. The records cynically note: "swims like a goose." The accused then usually resigned themselves to their fate and gave the "confession" required for execution. The two witches' ponds east of Schaumburg Castle are historically documented and were very likely the actual site of these terrifying spectacles. They lie somewhat hidden in the forest, about 50 meters below the path.

The Hohenrode Floodplain Nature Reserve is an ecological highlight in the Weser Valley near Rinteln and an excellent destination for nature-loving cyclists. This fascinating landscape stretches across an area of approximately 127 hectares in a bend of the Weser River – a successful example of renaturation and sustainable nature conservation in a former gravel mining area. Since the 1990s, the floodplain landscape has been managed by the NABU Rinteln group. What was once an industrial mining site has been transformed into a mosaic of shallow water zones, gravel pits, islands, oxbow lakes, and riparian forests. This diversity has created an important refuge for numerous endangered animal and plant species. The area is particularly known for its rich birdlife: Common terns, white-tailed eagles, ospreys, black storks, and waders find breeding or resting sites here. An ornithological highlight is the successful reintroduction of the common tern, which is breeding here for the first time in over 100 years. Visitors can use an observation tower and the Dieter Eggersmann observation hut, from which animals can be observed in their natural habitat. Information panels explain the special features of the habitat, its history, and the contribution of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) to the maintenance and development of the protected area. The play of light over the still waters is particularly impressive in the early morning hours or at sunset. The floodplain landscape is located directly on the Weser Cycle Route and is therefore perfect as a stopover or destination for a nature-oriented bike ride. Access is via a gravel parking lot near Hohenrode. NABU offers regular guided tours of the area – on the first Sunday of even-numbered months at 11 a.m. Those who want to experience the slow change of nature and understand the dynamics of a river landscape will find in the Hohenrode floodplain landscape an inspiring example of how nature can be left to its own devices and still be full of life – ideal for a peaceful break on the bike.

Beautiful view over the NSG Auenlandschaft Hohenrode.

A beautiful natural landscape, very quiet and really worth seeing.

The "Holzhäuser sinkhole" is one of several water-filled sinkholes in rocks of the Upper Buntsandstein. It was formed more than 300 years ago as a result of underground leaching of Zechstein rock salt. Its diameter is 50 to 60 m and its volume is around 125,000 m³. The smaller double sinkhole, about 100 m further south, consists of two touching funnels and has a volume of about 55,000 and 20,000 m³.

There is a lot to see here.

The grand opening took place in May 1879. The three-storey spa hotel was not completed until around 1900. In 1931, the mineral springs and spa facilities became the property of the city. In 1936 Münder was awarded the state title "Bad". In the 1990s, an expanded, modern landscaped park was created based on designs by the renowned Swiss landscape architect Dieter Kienast. The emphasis and the development of a high-contrast whole from existing and new parts of the park was the guiding principle of the design. Both natural relaxation zones and active areas have their place in the park, such as the world champion mini golf course. The Kurmittelhaus and the Tourist Information are also located here. Source: https://www.weserbergland-tourismus.de/de/poi/park/kurpark-bad-muender/21704148/

Sinkholes filled with water (natural monument).