Deister

Rodenberg

From fortress to castle through Rodenberg.

Charming landscapes and picturesque villages, romantic half-timbered architecture, and Weserrenaissance—this is the Rodenberg Joint Municipality. The 16 villages of the joint municipality lie in the valley between the beautifully forested hills of the Deister (405 meters), the Süntel (437 meters), and the Bückeberge (367 meters). The history of this region is reflected everywhere in its historic landmarks. But cultural institutions and modern recreational facilities also draw visitors to the Rodenberg Valley.

Moated castles, fortresses, and churches are the main attractions here for history buffs. In Apelern, visitors are drawn to the two-nave hall church (built around 1162), Münchhausen Castle (1561), and Hammerstein Castle (1696). In Hülsede, you’ll find the parish church of St. Ägidien, dating from 1440, as well as the moated castle built in the Weserrenaissance style (1529 to 1548). Many residents have formed a community group dedicated to preserving their landmark, the windmill, which has stood atop the Alter Rodenberg for nearly 150 years and can be viewed while strolling through the Bürgerpark.

Also worth seeing are the castle complex with its restored bastion and Heisterburg Castle with the Teufelsbrücke, located in the Deister. In Lauenau, there are two palaces and a castle to visit. And a must-see for lovers of sacred architecture: St. Luke’s Church. It is considered a masterpiece by the renowned church architect Conrad Wilhelm Hase.

With its shops, cafés, and restaurants, downtown Rodenberg is the perfect place for a varied shopping experience. A modern business center is located on Amtsplatz, directly in front of City Hall. Recreational and sporting activities are provided by facilities such as the indoor cycling arena, the shooting range, two swimming pools in Rodenberg and Lauenau, several tennis courts, fitness centers, and a large campground in Reinsdorf. Bicycle and hiking trails wind through fields, forests, and meadows, connecting the communities.

Annual local festivals, such as shooting festivals, the traditional “Martini-Markt” fair, and many street festivals, foster a sense of community and highlight the residents’ hospitality.

“Good luck!”

In Feggendorf near Lauenau, a walk in the woods can be perfectly combined with a visit to a historic coal mine. As early as 1738, a coal seam was discovered in three small test pits near what is now the Feggendorf Tunnel. This small-scale mine, typical of the Deister region, supplied the villages around Lauenau with coal for blacksmithing and home heating.

In 1952, the miners wished each other a final “Glück auf!” as they made their way into the tunnel. This marked the end of 175 years of coal mining in Rodenberg. Following extensive restoration work, numerous relics of the mine are now open to the public again. Today, tourists have taken the place of the miners, interested in the historic rail tracks, mine cars, the coal screening machine, or the work with side-dump and beak-dump cars.