Selm: Castle, Lake and Historic Architecture

Selm offers several different reasons to stay: the history of Botzlar Castle dates back to the 12th century, Cappenberg Castle shapes the landscape with its position on a ridge, and you can swim at Ternscher See. When looking for hotels in Selm, you can consider whether architectural history, a bike ride, time by the water or a seasonal event should be the focus of your trip.

History and Architecture in Selm

Botzlar Castle is a historic landmark in Selm; its history dates back to the 12th century. Cappenberg Castle is located in the Cappenberg district on a ridge that shapes the landscape. The castle theater opened at the palace in 1999 and can seat 235 spectators.

In Selm-Bork, St. Stephen’s Parish Church marks another phase of construction: the originally single-nave building was constructed between 1718 and 1724. Cappenberg sandstone was initially used for most of the work. The period, original form and building material make the church a tangible example of Selm’s architectural history.

At Ternscher See and on Two Wheels

Ternscher See has a campsite and a forest lido; you can also swim there. If you plan to use these facilities, check their current operating information before your visit. The “Selm between Castle and Lake” circuit is a suggested cycling route in Selm. It is a good idea to check current route conditions before setting off.

An Advent Event

The Advent market in Selm’s old town traditionally takes place on the weekend of the first Sunday of Advent.

In the Wider Destination of Unna

In the wider destination of Unna, the district of Unna lies on the eastern edge of the Ruhr region; its outskirts extend into the northern Münsterland and southern Sauerland. There is plenty of greenery between the Lippe and Ruhr rivers.

In the wider destination of Unna, Cappenberg Castle is one of the most significant examples of Westphalian Baroque monastic architecture. The collegiate church is a three-aisled Romanesque pillar basilica, completed in 1148. The Romanesque basilica and Baroque monastery therefore represent different periods of construction within this regional context.

The wider destination of Unna also offers a range of cycling options. RadKreisUnna is almost 100 km long and connects sights, historic towns, industrial heritage and beautiful landscapes. The A-Wege cycling program includes 11 circular routes of varying lengths and difficulty levels. The map sheets include information on distances, approximate travel times and elevation gain, as well as QR codes linking to GPX files, descriptions of sights and information about the route.

Numerous routes for walking in the wider destination of Unna lead through the forests near Cappenberg. The walking tours in the district of Unna follow signposted trails. Cappenberg Forest School is recommended as an excursion destination in the wooded area and is also suitable for children.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Unna.