Discovering Sauerland, Day 1 Brilon

Day 1 Brilon

Covid-19 hasn’t left this planet yet, but the restrictions are less rigid. At least we are allowed to visit neighbouring Germany.  So when there was an opportunity, I set off with a friend. We spent a midweek in Sauerland, a part of Germany, just a two-hour drive from the border. It takes me two hours to get to the border from my home, so it isn’t a long journey. Although quite near, the scenery is very different and delightful: old hilltop towns, walled and often gated, wooded hills and colourful parks, little streams and rivers, and lots of cake, “Kuchen”, an understatement for the size and delicacy of those cakes, which we had for lunch.

Brilon, the town within walking distance if we did not mind the steep ascent, is a small treasure, partly walled, with only one of the once many gates remaining. The round pattern of the town is still intact, with the big church in the middle and the Town Hall and Market Square just behind. The church green is surrounded by old, big farmhouses, with inscriptions over the barn doors, telling who built that particular house and often dedicated to a saint. Some farmhouses were destroyed in a fire and rebuilt. 

The town looked prosperous, with nice shops and many cafes and restaurants. Because of the pandemic we had to wear face masks in shops, public buildings, gas stations and even in restaurants, till we sat down. As soon as we got up, even just to use the facilities, mouth masks had to be worn. But it did not hamper my delight in this jewel of a town, which was a Hanseatic town and apparently celebrating its 40th anniversary of this new Hanza League. Unfortunately, the festivities they had planned could not take place, and their annual musical festival which takes place in August was also cancelled.  But it gave us a chance to see the town in all its beauty, without crowds of tourists.

Market Place, the town hall is at our back

Town Hall

The interrior of the church. The outside was in scaffolding and hidden by plastic sheets, so no pictures of the church sitting high on a green hill

The hotel we stayed in was in the “Kurpark”, a very beautiful, varied and well cared for park, with flowers, herb gardens, health facilities, outdoor games, nooks and crannies with quiet spots and places to sit and read a book if so inclined. The park was a starting point for walks of varying lengths amongst those the beginning of a well-known long-distance walk. We managed a 3,5-hour walk, which was surprising, varied and delightful, afterwards cooling our feet in the three connected water basins meant for walking through and stimulating the blood stream.

These colourful knitted and crocheted tents can be found in many Hanseatic towns and are used as a sign of unity, being linked with others. 3 of the 36 wigwams can be found in Brilon. They were meant to receive people coming for the festivities,  a symbol of connectivity.

Some more pictures of houses and sculptures in Brilon

It was hot, but we also had a thunderstorm and heavy rain one night.  We did not know what to expect when we booked the trip, but we were pleasantly surprised this first day in Brilon and in the so nicely situated hotel with its wide views. This was only the beginning as more was to follow the next few days.

Flowers in the Kurpark