Discover Selm: Lake, History and Culture

Selm offers several reasons to plan a trip around your personal interests: swimming takes centre stage at Lake Ternscher See, while history, architecture and concert culture are the focus in Cappenberg. This lets you shape your stay around what matters most to you, rather than trying to squeeze every experience into a single day’s itinerary.

When looking for accommodation in Selm, it helps to decide first whether the lake, architectural history or cultural events will shape your stay. Knowing your own priorities makes it easier to plan accordingly and choose suitable ideas for your days.

Water and cycling

You can swim at Lake Ternscher See. There is also a campsite and a woodland lido there. This makes the lake a clear focal point for anyone who wants to centre their trip on water. If you are planning to visit the campsite or woodland lido, check the latest opening details in advance.

Another active option is the “Selm between Castle and Lake” circular cycling route, a suggested bike tour in Selm. For practical planning, it is a good idea to obtain up-to-date route information. This makes a cycling excursion a distinct focus alongside time at the lake.

Architectural history and culture in Cappenberg

The history of Botzlar Castle in Selm dates back to the 12th century. In the district of Cappenberg, Cappenberg Castle sits on a ridge that shapes the landscape. The castle theatre opened in 1999 and has seating for 235 spectators. History, landscape and a specific cultural venue are different points of interest to consider when planning your trip.

From April to September, Vespers concerts organised by the Unna district take place on the first Sunday of every month in the former collegiate and monastery church in Cappenberg. The parish also holds organ concerts there. If a concert is the deciding factor for your visit, check the current dates in advance.

The originally single-nave parish church of St Stephen in Selm-Bork offers a different perspective on church architecture. It was built between 1718 and 1724, initially using mainly Cappenberg sandstone. The construction period and materials make the church a specific example of how to explore the architectural history of the places in Selm.

Seasonal occasions

The Advent market in Selm’s old town traditionally takes place on the weekend of the first Sunday of Advent. If you would like to plan your stay around it, check the dates for the relevant year. This seasonal event offers a different reason to visit from the year-round appeal of castles, the lake and history, and may therefore play a role in choosing when to visit.

Walking routes in the Unna destination

The Unna destination offers another, regional perspective: the “Woods near Cappenberg” have been designated a “special area of conservation” by the European Union and a nature reserve by the Unna district. Numerous hiking routes pass through these woods. For a broader perspective on hiking, the WestfalenWanderWeg runs from Hattingen to Altenbeken; in the Unna district, it crosses the foothills of the Ardey Hills and the Haarstrang ridge.

Cappenberg Abbey Church is also one of the architectural highlights of the Unna destination. It is a three-aisled Romanesque pillar basilica, completed in 1148. Together with the architectural history of St Stephen’s, this historical connection offers another perspective for travellers interested in sacred buildings and different periods of construction.

Discover more destinations: Holzwickede, Kamen, Unna, Bönen, Lünen, Bergkamen, Schwerte, Werne

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