Olpe: City history and time at Lake Bigge

Olpe offers a range of ways to spend your stay: Lake Bigge is just a few steps from Olpe’s market square. Art, historic buildings and monuments add to the things to discover by the water. If you’re looking for a hotel in Olpe, you can plan your trip around what matters to you during your time here—perhaps exhibitions and city history, a walk along the shore or time on the lake. The places below offer a range of ideas to help you plan.

Art and city history

The Old Lyceum hosts public art exhibitions featuring works by local artists. As the exhibition programme can change, check the latest dates in advance if you’re interested in a particular show. That way, you can plan a visit to this stop.

The Witch Tower dates back to the 14th century and is Olpe’s oldest surviving secular building. In this context, “secular” means non-religious; the term distinguishes the building from religious structures. The tower thus offers a tangible link to the past, while the exhibitions at the Old Lyceum showcase works by local artists.

At Kurkölner Platz, the History Fountain depicts Olpe’s history on bronze panels. They show significant events and local figures. The Washerwomen’s Monument at Bleichewiese commemorates the meadow’s former use for bleaching laundry on the grass. Another trade takes centre stage at the Pannenklöpper Monument: it symbolises the former importance of blacksmithing in the region. Together, these memorials offer a look at individual events and figures as well as reminders of earlier work and crafts.

The surviving ruins of the southwestern tower of St. Martinus are now regarded as a memorial for peace. The interpretation of the structure is part of the visit: the remains of the tower are associated with the idea of peace.

Trails and activities by the water

The Olpe Circular Trail runs around the Upper Lake and is an accessible waterside path. At Lake Bigge, visitors can explore the reservoir independently by electric or pedal boat. A waterside walk and exploring the lake from the water offer two different ways to enjoy the area. If you’re planning time by the water, you can take both kinds of activities into account when deciding what to do.

Valentin’s Chapel is also within walking distance: from the leisure pool, the route follows the waterside path. Trail conditions may vary, so check them before setting out. This lets you include the route in your plans without assuming a specific walking time.

Local cuisine and practical information

There are cafés, beer gardens and terraces around the historic market square and the Upper Lake. Local options also include restaurants serving traditional Sauerland cuisine. When planning your day, you can make time for a break at a café or beer garden as well as a restaurant visit featuring regional dishes. Individual businesses and their opening hours may change, so check the latest information before visiting.

For further information, Olpe Aktiv, the city’s marketing office, provides visitor maps, accommodation tips, cycling suggestions and hiking routes for Olpe and the surrounding region. These resources can be useful at different stages of planning—from finding accommodation information to getting ideas for cycling and hiking. This makes it easy to explore the city’s sights, waterside routes and activities in the region according to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Oberveischede, Sondern, Finnentrop, Wenden, Lennestadt, Kirchhundem, Drolshagen, Attendorn.

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