Hanseatic city of Nieheim

Nieheim

The climatic health resort of Nieheim is a picturesque arable town with a medieval town center, nestled between the Teutoburg Forest and the Weser Uplands. Around 6,000 people live in Nieheim and the 10 surrounding villages.

Nieheim is first mentioned as Nyhem on May 25, 1036 in the Busdorf document. 1243 is the official year of foundation. During the Middle Ages, Nieheim joined the Hanseatic League. The circular city layout, which has been preserved almost unchanged since 1243, and the clear division into a lower and an upper town make Nieheim a special urban development feature in Ostwestfalen-Lippe. Beautiful half-timbered houses, a charmingly designed historic town center, artistically inspired hiking trails and museums ensure a fascinating and relaxing atmosphere

Facts & Figures

Founded

Year 1243

Location

51.80394 latitude and 9.111226 longitude

Population

6000

UNESCO World Heritage

Since April 2018 it has been certain that the wicker hedges will be entered in the state inventory. The written application from Heimatverein Nieheim was successful. After a thorough examination with the criteria for the recognition of cultural forms of expression based on the UNESCO Convention, the technique of the wattle hedge was recommended for inclusion. On Thursday, October 25, 2018, the award event and handover of the certificates for the new inclusions in the inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of North Rhine-Westphalia took place in the House of Foundations in Düsseldorf. On Friday, December 11th, 2018, the technique of tying the wattle hedges was also included in the nationwide register of intangible cultural heritage.