Herford

Herford is a district capital in the Detmold administrative region of North Rhine-Westphalia, located between the Wiehen Hills and the Teutoburg Forest. Three Gothic main churches shape the cityscape and recall the medieval building traditions that define the center.

Charlemagne founded the settlement in 789 to secure a ford across the Werre river, which served traders and travelers as a crossing point. Later the town gained Free Imperial City status, which it held until 1648.

The MARTa building, with its twisted metal facade, stands in contrast to the brick architecture of the city center and has drawn art lovers from across the region since it opened. Visitors can walk through bright exhibition rooms where changing works by contemporary designers and artists are displayed.

The tourism office at Linnenbauerplatz 6 provides information about local sights, events, and services throughout the year. Visitors can find maps and tips there that help with planning walks through the city.

The Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie performs regular concerts in the Stadtpark Schützenhof, where visitors can experience classical music in the open air. The orchestra is based in town and contributes to the musical scene across the region.

Location: Herford

Elevation above the sea: 69 m

Shares border with: Hiddenhausen, Löhne, Vlotho, Bad Salzuflen, Bielefeld, Enger

Website: https://herford.de

GPS coordinates: 52.11457,8.67343

Latest update: December 15, 2025 06:43