Hamelin (Hameln), the pearl of the Weser Uplands (Weserbergland) and home to the enigmatic Pied Piper, lies approximately 45 kilometres to the south-west of Hanover, the state capital. The town wows visitors at first sight with its fascinating architecture, mysterious history and scenic landscapes.
Taking a stroll through the town centre is an attraction in itself. What is more, visitors can sit in one of the pavement cafés and admire the unusual architecture over a cup of coffee. Architecture lovers describe Hamelin’s Old Town as a jewel of the Weser Renaissance.
The Legend of the Pied Piper
Yet the stone witnesses of the past mainly tell the tale of the Pied Piper, for instance the Rattenfängerhaus (Pied Piper’s House) constructed in 1602 and featuring an inscription detailing the children’s exodus, Hamelin’s most famous historical event.
It is said that 130 children mysteriously disappeared from Hamelin in 1284. This is where the legend of the whimsical Pied Piper, who takes his revenge by leading the children out of the town, comes from. This unusual fellow can be found all over the town, not just in this must-see museum, as the legend of the Pied Piper is still omnipresent in Hamelin to this day.
