Lemgo

Rained all night and still raining this morning. Thus, a slow morning! After a little shopping we set off to Bad Meinberg but only got as far as Lemgo where we got "stuck"! We are still here tonight.

Lemgo and the market square. 

Many features caught our attention. The town was founded in 1190 by Bernhard II von Lippe. Wool and cloth was its livelihood, and it became a member of the trading block of the Hanseatic League. It is a well preserved town of Weserrenaissance half timbered houses with very distinctive ornate facades. Fortunately it has been spared destruction from war. 

Very ornate decorations particularly found in Weserrenaissance architecture. 

One of the very interesting houses is the Hexenbürgermeisterhaus - the house of the mayor, or better known as the "Witches' Mayor's House" because of the frantic nature by which the mayor pursued women and men accused of witchery.

The Heenburgermeusterhaus is particularly beautiful and a highly decorative Weserrenaissance building. 

Decorative exterior. 

With Adam and Eve giving evidence of a Lutheran household. 

This house now hosts the museum of Lemgo, an interesting coverage of the major aspects of its 800 year history. 

An interesting item - coins of Lemgo - the town was suffiently independent and thus able to mint its own coins. 

Some interesting artwork too. 

The market square, where there was a market today, has the Rathaus, considered to be the pearl of the Weserrenaissance architecture of the town. It also contains an original 15th century  pharmacy which is still in operation today. 

The impressive Rathaus. 

Rathaus and pharmacy on the side. 

Market square and skyline. 

Having thought we had been schlossed-out, we visited another this afternoon   Schloss Brake is in Lemgo and houses the Weserrenaissance Museum. We took a look around and decided to stay here for the night. 

Schloss Brake. 

More photos of today: 

Sculpture of a local tall-tale welcomes  you to the town. 

A working water mill as part of the Schloss precinct.