Best places to visit in Sauerland

Sauerland's Essential Treasures

Sauerland features diverse landmarks, from the 841-meter Kahler Asten peak to the Atta Cave, one of Germany’s largest dripstone systems. The region is characterized by its historical architecture, including the Neo-Gothic Herdringen Castle and the Baroque water castle Schloss Adolfsburg. Religious heritage is represented by the 11th-century "Bonten Kerke" in Lieberhausen and the unique Romanesque Drüggelter Kapelle. Visitors can explore medieval remnants like the Arnsberg castle ruins and the preserved city gates of Rüthen and Brilon, or view the landscape from the modern Jübergturm tower.

Sauerland's Essential Treasures — Map

Ingo2802 / CC-BY-SA-3.0

A

Kahler Asten

The Kahler Asten is an 841.9-metre-high mountain in the Rothaar range in the district of Hochsauerland, in the German state of North Rhine…

Rainer Lippert / Public domain

B

Atta Cave

The Atta Cave or Attendorn Dripstone Cave in Attendorn is one of the largest dripstone caves in Germany.

Dr.G.Schmitz / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Herdringen Castle

Herdringen Castle is a castle in the Ortsteil Herdringen of the town of Arnsberg, Germany.

Dr.G.Schmitz / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Herdringen Castle

Herdringen Castle is a castle in the Ortsteil Herdringen of the town of Arnsberg, Germany.

Machahn / CC-BY-SA-3.0

E

Arnsberger Schloßruine

Ruins of a medieval castle situated on the 256-meter Schlossberg. Originally the seat of the Counts of Werl-Arnsberg, it offers historical insight into the region's former seat of power.

Sir Gawain / Public domain

F

Schloss Adolfsburg

A 1670s Baroque water castle located in the Hundem valley. Built for the von Fürstenberg family, it features a distinctive moat and period-specific architectural details.

Stefan Didam / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Schloss Brüninghausen

A historic manor house and estate in Plettenberg, representing the noble and industrial heritage of the Märkischer Kreis district.

Dr.G.Schmitz / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Schloss Melschede

A three-winged Baroque water castle in Sundern-Hövel, known for its U-shaped layout and historical significance as a local aristocratic residence.

Wolfgang Poguntke / CC BY 3.0

I

Burg Schnellenberg

A hilltop castle overlooking the Bigge valley. Dating back to the 13th century, it is one of the largest castle complexes in Westphalia, featuring well-preserved Renaissance architecture.

Roosterfan / CC-BY-SA-3.0

J

Schloss Körtlinghausen

Schloss Körtlinghausen is a Baroque Schloss in Germany's Sauerland region, roughly equidistant between Dortmund and Kassel.

Stefan Didam / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Burgruine Rappelstein

The remains of a hilltop castle in the village of Nordenau, providing a scenic viewpoint over the surrounding Hochsauerland landscape.

Knippers Helbig / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Jübergturm

A 23.5-meter observation tower featuring a unique hyper-parabolic timber design. It was constructed for the 2010 State Garden Show and offers panoramic views of Hemer.

Michael Kramer / CC BY-SA 3.0

M

Bilsteinturm

A historic stone observation tower standing at 387 meters on the Bilstein hill, offering views across the Marsberg region.

Stefan Didam / CC BY-SA 3.0

N

Hachtor

A medieval city gate that serves as the landmark of Rüthen. It is a well-preserved component of the town's original defensive fortifications.

kaʁstn / CC BY-SA 3.0 de

O

Derker Tor

The only surviving gate of Brilon's medieval city wall, representing the town's historical defensive architecture.

Bubo / CC BY-SA 3.0

P

Lennebrücke

A heritage-protected sandstone arch bridge spanning the Lenne River, noted for its traditional masonry construction.

Unknown / Public domain

Q

Ehem. Deutschordenkommende

A former commandery of the Teutonic Order established in the 13th century. The site includes a Baroque main building that reflects the order's historical presence in Mülheim.

BangertNo / CC BY-SA 3.0

R

Pfarrkirche St. Margaretha

A Baroque parish church in Sichtigvor, closely linked to the neighboring Teutonic Order commandery.

Jörg Braukmann / CC BY-SA 4.0

S

Kreuzbergkapelle

A historic chapel in Altastenberg, serving as a landmark for the high-altitude village near Winterberg.

JörgHSK / CC BY-SA 4.0

T

Sankt Andreas

A Romanesque village church in Ostönnen, famous for housing one of the oldest playable pipe organs in the world, dating to approximately 1425.

Dr. Hans Wiechers / CC BY-SA 3.0

U

St. Agatha

A Neo-Gothic Catholic parish church in Altenhundem, recognized for its architectural heritage and designated as a protected monument.

Golgert / CC BY-SA 3.0

V

Sankt Josef

A 20th-century Catholic church in Kierspe, showcasing modern architectural styles in a region dominated by older historical structures.

me / Public domain

W

Evangelische Kirche Lieberhausen

An 11th-century church known as a "Bonten Kerke" (colored church) due to its extensive medieval and Renaissance-era wall paintings.

Asio otus / CC-BY-SA-3.0

X

Drüggelter Kapelle

A 12th-century Romanesque chapel near the Möhnesee, notable for its rare dodecagonal (12-sided) floor plan and mysterious stone carvings.

Stefan Didam / CC BY-SA 3.0

Y

Lennemühle

A protected historic mill located along the Lenne River in Oberkirchen, representing the region's traditional water-powered industry.

Other Lists

Castles and Fortifications Historic Religious Sites Heritage Sites of Interest Peaks and Observation Towers