Nestled within the rolling hills of the Sauerland, Warstein is a picturesque town in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. A settlement has existed here since at least 1072, although the current town is believed to have been founded in the 13th century by the Archbishop of Cologne. During the Middle Ages, Warstein formed part of the Hanseatic League, which dominated commercial activity across Northern Europe.
Things to do in Warstein
In the heart of Warstein is the Haus Kupferhammer, a former industrialist’s residence that has been furnished as it would have appeared during the 19th century. It boasts a coach house, a tower and several farm buildings, as well as a beautifully landscaped garden. In addition to serving as a cultural museum, the Haus Kupferhammer hosts changing art exhibitions throughout the year.
A short walk away is the Psychiatry Museum, which is located on the grounds of an early 20th-century sanatorium. Today, it showcases objects and artefacts that detail the last 100 years of psychiatric treatments and Warstein’s innovative approach to “work therapy”. After exploring the permanent exhibition, you can browse the extensive documentation in the archives.
Warstein makes an excellent base for exploring the Bilstein Valley, which encompasses a wildlife park, a cave and an adventure playground. Join a guided tour to admire the stalactites and stalagmites that decorate the cave before getting up close to fallow deer, raccoons and lynxes in the wildlife park. Kids will love exploring the adventure playground and the forest nature trail.
Getting around Warstein
Warstein is around an hour’s drive from Dortmund and 45 minutes from Dortmund Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Warstein and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.