Bodenwerder: Münchhausen’s Story and Weser Landscape

Bodenwerder combines a small-town streetscape with the story of Münchhausen. In the Münchhausen region, gentle hills of the Weser Uplands, the banks of the Weser and numerous walking and cycling trails shape the landscape. Half-timbered houses are a defining feature of the town’s character. Historic buildings and a variety of experiences also bring the Baron’s stories to life. When planning a trip, you can therefore choose between culture, seasonal performances and outdoor activities as different focuses for your stay.

Münchhausen’s Story Between the Town Hall and Museum

The three-storey manor house, now Bodenwerder’s town hall, was built between 1603 and 1609 and is Münchhausen’s birthplace. The Münchhausen estate comprises a group of three historic buildings: the manor house, distillery building and Schulenburg. Built around 1300, Schulenburg now houses the Münchhausen Museum. It is dedicated to the Baron’s stories and the history of the town of Bodenwerder.

The distillery building tells another part of the town’s architectural history: Münchhausen’s father had it built in 1720; today, it houses the tourist information office. The Münchhausen Fountain is another striking landmark: it depicts half a horse and was created by Bruno Schmitz for Bodenwerder’s 675th anniversary. Historic lanes, squares, monuments and buildings feature on guided town tours. This makes it possible to discover the town’s history not only through individual buildings, but also through a variety of themes.

Town Tours, Performances and Other Experiences

Bodenwerder town tours can be booked together with a visit to the Münchhausen Museum.

The recurring Münchhausen play is performed on the town hall steps on the first Sunday of each month from May to October. Check the dates before your visit. A seasonal Münchhausen musical is staged in the town hall park; here, too, it is worth checking the dates. For another playful way to engage with the tales, the twelve themed holes at Adventure Golf, described in June 2025, feature motifs from Münchhausen’s stories. Check the latest information about the facility before visiting.

The Weser Landscape and Practical Information

The Münchhausen region combines gentle hills of the Weser Uplands, the banks of the Weser and numerous walking and cycling trails. Alongside the historic attractions, visitors can also choose to explore routes through a varied landscape. The Weser promenade has a bicycle inner-tube vending machine and a self-service repair station with e-bike charging. Another repair and charging station is located at the Münchhausen Museum. As this infrastructure may change, check the latest information before setting out.

In the Wider Holzminden Destination

Those who look beyond Bodenwerder to the wider Holzminden destination will find other distinct cultural and landscape attractions. The ruins of Polle Castle stand atop a hill about 25 metres high above the municipality of Polle in the Weser Valley. Bevern Castle is a four-winged Renaissance complex built between 1603 and 1612 around a square courtyard with a moat, two bridges and a castle garden.

The Fürstenberg Castle Museum showcases porcelain from more than 265 years of the FÜRSTENBERG porcelain manufactory. The complex also includes an observation platform 80 metres above the Weser, offering panoramic views of the Weser Valley and the area where three states meet. These regional destinations complement Bodenwerder’s Münchhausen and half-timbered-house themes with further perspectives on history, craftsmanship and landscape in the wider Holzminden destination.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Rühle, Heinade, Silberborn, Hehlen, Ottenstein, Deensen, Bevern, Boffzen.

To the wider travel overview: Holzminden.