Hanseatic city of Soest

Soest

Soest is nearly 400 years older than almost all central European towns and was also a founding city of the Hanseatic League - despite not being on the North or Baltic Seas. Unparalleled anywhere in the world, the green sandstone ensemble of Soest old town, with its famous churches and almost wholly preserved medieval city wall, is flanked by rows of romantic half-timbered houses, quaint beer gardens and spots with an ambience steeped in history. It’s a place where you immediately feel welcome. With a population of around 50,000 and a catchment area of c. 180,000, Soest is a central business location with excellent transport links and also a major hub within one of Europe's largest economic areas. International groups and corporations and a diverse structure of SME companies from industry, commerce, the manual trades and the service sector find ideal conditions here for setting up business.

Facts & Figures

Founded

Year 836

Location

51.57255 latitude and 8.106125 longitude

Population

50000

UNESCO World Heritage

Bauhütte Wiesenkirche: On 17 December 2021, the intergovernmental committee of UNESCO resolved to include Bauhütten (construction workshops) in its ‘Register of Examples of Good Practice for the Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage’.

What is the city known for?

Soest pumpernickel (from the world’s oldest pumpernickel bakery)

Bullenauge (mocha liqueur with cream)

Westphalian supper (pumpernickel with smoked ham, Soest beer and Westphalian grain based on the ‘Westphalian Supper’ stained-glass window in St. Maria zur Wiese)