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Hameln is the economic, cultural and touristic center of the Weserbergland. The city of 60,000 is most famous for the legend of the Pied Piper. Its riches were made through trade along the Weser river. The successful businessmen built intricately decorated homes during this period, so that Hameln became the jewel of Weser Renaissance architecture. Hameln has a beautiful historical old town. Especially marvellous are the old buildings from the Weser Renaissance, which can only be admired here in such a numerous appearance. The pedestrian precinct combines modern shopping areas with historical monuments. Guided Tours are available all year upon request, with and without the Pied Piper.

Jewel of Weser Renaissance Architecture

This is the peculiar architectural style of the 16th and early 17th century in which you will find various buildings along the river Weser and which have greatly characterized the "townscape" of Hameln. Significant features of this architecture are the spectacular and aboundingly subdivided fassades of the patrician houses with scrolls, pyramids, obelisks, decorations of globes, ornamented wooden friezes with coats of arms, masks and envy heads. The road to the town's most famous house, that of the Pied Piper, is lined with Renaissance gables and buildings. The Hochzeitshaus, the Stiftsherrenhaus or the Leisthaus. The houses or their facades are largely built from Weser sandstone.

Legend of the Pied Piper

The Pied Piper, who in 1284 appeared in Hameln, since centuries is the town´s landmark and world famous. From the Pied Piper hall, or the open-air-play, to the musical "Rats" - still today Hamelin cannot be thought of without the Pied Piper.

The open-air play of the Pied Piper is performed by 80 actors on an open air stage every Sunday at 12 o’clock from the middle of May until the middle of September. In addition to the Pied Piper Open-Air Play on Sundays, the musical "RATS", a humorous interpretation of the legend, was attended last year by some 40,000 guests at over 22 performances on the Hochzeitshaus-Terrasse, right in the centre of the old town. The story follows the traditional legend. The Piper leads the rats to the Weser River. However, the Rat-King forms an allegiance with the town council, and survives.

The legend of the Pied Piper is world famous

In 1284, a wondrous man was seen in Hameln (Hamelin). He wore a coat of a many-coloured cloth and presented himself as a rat catcher, in that he promised to rid the town of all its mice and rats for a certain sum of money (from the Brothers Grimm, German legends). The Pied Piper of Hamelin is the most famous German legendary figure in the world. It is taught in classrooms in many countries.

• http://www.hameln.com/tourism/piedpiper/index.htm

Attractions

• Pied Piper open air theatre in the historic city centre.
• Musical “RATS”
• Boat trips: Round trips on and trips along the River Weser.
• Pied Piper puppet theatre
• Hameln Museum: with exhibitions on the Pied Piper legend
• Klütturm: wonderful views over the town from the tower
• Christmas market

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t.a.carr  |  19.09.2008 13:20:18

rats trail

brilliant day out lots to see and do!

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