Discover Paderborn: Hotels, springs and history
Accommodation in Paderborn
Discover Paderborn through two closely connected themes: water and history. More than 200 springs rise in the city centre; the Pader begins in Paderborn and is considered Germany’s shortest river. If you’re looking for a hotel in Paderborn, you can combine your stay with a wide range of ways to experience the city—from its springs and historic buildings to its museums.
Springs, the cathedral and the city’s early history
The Pader spring area below the cathedral and Abdinghof is protected as a historic garden. The springs are also the setting for stories from the city’s history: Pope Leo III and the Frankish king Charlemagne met there, at the site of today’s cathedral. Even then, a large church stood here, dedicated to Christ as Salvator Mundi. It was destroyed shortly afterwards in a city fire and rebuilt. The crypt of Paderborn Cathedral holds the relics of Saint Liborius, patron saint of the archdiocese and the city.
Museums spanning the Middle Ages and information technology
The Museum in the Imperial Palace presents the history of Paderborn and Westphalia from the 6th to the 12th century. One focus is Charlemagne’s palace: in 777, Charlemagne had it built above the Pader springs as the first and only palace he built in Saxony. A reconstructed Ottonian-Salian palace in Paderborn features chapels and a unique spring cellar. Paderborn thus offers insight into different aspects of palace history, from the Carolingian complex to later architectural forms.
The Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum is described as the world’s largest computer museum and has 6,000 square metres of exhibition space. Its permanent exhibition spans 5,000 years of the past, present and future of information technology, from cuneiform writing and calculating and typewriting machines to the internet and robotics. Visitors can also get hands-on: you can use telephones from earlier eras, try historical and modern computer games, and talk to the virtual character Max.
Architecture and the city museum
The Bartholomew Chapel is considered the oldest known hall church on German soil and is renowned for its remarkable acoustics. The Paderborn City Museum covers a broad span of time, exploring the history of the city of Pader from its first prehistoric and early historic settlements to themes from urban life today and in the future. Its ensemble includes the cloister and garden of Abdinghof Monastery, founded by Bishop Meinwerk in 1015/16.
SchloĂź Neuhaus and different ways to explore the city
Schloß Neuhaus is located in the Paderborn district of the same name and is one of Westphalia’s most significant Renaissance water castles. The former prince-bishop’s residence also offers a glimpse into garden history: the Baroque garden was recreated for the 1994 State Garden Show, based on an original plan from the 18th century.
A combined cycle-and-city tour begins with a walk through the historic city centre, then continues by bicycle along the Pader through green meadows and floodplains to Schloß Neuhaus and its Baroque garden. The Paderborn Tourist Information Office also offers public tours of Schloß Neuhaus several times a year, titled “Residence of the Prince-Bishops.” You can also book a tour for a date of your choice; check in advance which dates suit your visit.
For exploring on your own, there is also a self-guided city walk with classic written directions and a city-centre map showing the route. You can choose whether to plan your route yourself or explore specific themes in greater depth on a guided tour.
Discover more destinations: Nesthausen, BĂĽren, Borchen, DelbrĂĽck, Bad WĂĽnnenberg, Bad Lippspringe, Lichtenau, Altenbeken.
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