Soest, District capital in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Description
Soest is a district capital in North Rhine-Westphalia, located about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Dortmund. The town center shows many buildings made of yellowish-green sandstone that form the townscape together with medieval church towers.
History
The settlement developed during the Middle Ages into an important member of the Hanseatic League and then counted more inhabitants than Cologne. In the 15th century it changed political allegiance from Cologne to Cleves after armed conflicts.
Culture
The town's name may come from an old word for salt, which was extracted here since Roman times. Visitors today notice the many churches built from greenish sandstone that shape the old center and speak to its former role as a trading hub.
Practical
The old town center can be explored easily on foot, as most churches and historic buildings lie close together. Those arriving by train reach the center from the station in a few minutes.
Did you know?
A medieval Norse saga names the town as capital of the Hunnic Empire under Attila. The South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences maintains a campus here with technical and business study programs.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Soest).
Wiesenkirche
433 m
St. Patrokli, Soest
88 m
Hohnekirche, Soest
377 m
Organo di S. Andrea
7.9 kmSt. Petri
160 m
Osthofentor
545 m
The Pilgrim House
584 m
Alt-St. Thomä
482 m
Haus Nehlen
8.3 km
St. Pauli
159 m
Wilhelm-Morgner-Haus
73 m
Sankt Nikolai-Kapelle
50 m
Church of St. Andrew in Ostönnen
7.9 km
Französische Kapelle
1.7 km
Alter Schlachthof
647 m
Rathaus Soest
141 m
Burghof
308 m
Villa Plange
634 m
Teichsmühle Soest
280 m
Standortübungsplatz bei Büecke
4.8 kmAugustinerchorfrauenstift St. Walburgis, Soest, später Kanonissenstift
278 m
Dominikanerkloster Soest
585 m
Franziskanerkloster Soest
328 m
Haus Sassendorf
4.5 km
Steinkammergrab Hiddingsen
4.3 km
Brunsteinkapelle
553 m
Kattenturm
572 m
Hinderking
2.3 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes