Nordhorn, District capital in Lower Saxony, Germany
Nordhorn sits in western Lower Saxony near the Dutch border, built around the Vechte River that flows through its center. Several side channels branch off the main waterway, creating smaller streams that wind between residential quarters, green spaces, and commercial blocks.
A document from 1379 granted urban rights to the settlement, allowing regular markets and self-governance. During the 19th century the textile industry expanded rapidly, turning the center into a major production site for cotton goods.
Local building tradition centers on the warm yellow Bentheim sandstone quarried nearby for centuries. Visitors today see this stone on facades throughout town, marking both older homes and modern structures with a recognizable local texture.
Pedestrians reach most waterside areas along paths that follow the channels and cross small bridges linking both banks. Many shops and cafes in the center lie within short walking distance, making it easy to explore the town on foot.
The Vechte River flows through town on its way from Germany into the Netherlands, changing its name to Overijsselse Vecht after crossing the border. This waterway links both countries along a route that cyclists and walkers can follow on riverside paths.
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