Delbrück has many sides: a long market tradition, chapels with their own histories, traces of a Roman military camp and a protected area for waterbirds. This gives you more than one possible focus when planning your trip. One specific date to plan around is the Katharinenmarkt; if you are more interested in history or nature, there are other themes to consider when choosing your stay.
Market tradition and chapel history
The Katharinenmarkt takes place over four days on the third weekend in September. Its tradition as a livestock and general goods market dates back more than 400 years. If you would like to experience Delbrück around this event, you can use the weekend as a guide when planning your dates.
A religious tradition is associated with the Kreuzkapelle on Ostenländer Straße: during the Delbrück Good Friday procession, which thousands of pilgrims take part in, the procession ends at the chapel. The building was constructed in 1723 in the neoclassical style, with an open entrance hall. The Rellerkapelle on Rellerweg tells a different story: its predecessor chapel was destroyed by a lightning strike, and the replacement was built in 1869.
The Andreaskapelle on Tegethof also has a clear historical point of reference. It was built in 1655 and is commonly known as “Körings Kapelle.” On May 5, 1981, it became the first listed historic building in the city of Delbrück. At Valepagenhof, the farm chapel still stands in its original location; local associations often meet there for May devotions.
Local history and Roman traces
The Delbrück local history room in the Heimathaus at Kirchplatz 10 displays original Delbrück costumes and historic flags alongside exhibits from the “Eintracht” carnival association and the St. John’s Rifle Brotherhood of Delbrück. The collection thus offers insight into different aspects of local association life and everyday culture.
At the Roman camp at Anreppen, you can appreciate the scale of a former military installation: the camp covered around 23 hectares, once accommodated about 6,000 soldiers and was established at the beginning of the 1st century AD, among other purposes to supply Roman troops. Reconstructed camp ditches, sections of the road system and a sewer make its scale visible. An archaeological educational trail leads to the areas identified through research. If you would like to explore the subject in more depth, you can request a guided tour from the City of Delbrück; tours must be arranged in advance.
Birdwatching and paths through nature
The Steinhorst Basin covers around 80 hectares and is considered North Rhine-Westphalia’s largest nature reserve deliberately planned and created by people for nature conservation. Its open water, wet meadows and islands provide a protected habitat for numerous waterbirds and waders. The nature reserve itself is off-limits to protect the animals. Birds can be observed from the crest of the closure dike, along a walking path and from viewing areas on the northern edge. This distinction is important when planning: here, nature watching belongs at the designated observation points, not in the protected core area.
More than 600 animals from different parts of the world live at Nadermann Animal Park in Delbrück-Schöning; the number may change over time. Another way to spend time outdoors is to take a long walk through the greenery in and around Bentfeld. The route passes historic sights and a farm café serving coffee and cake. Individual businesses may change: if you are planning to stop there, check in advance whether the café is currently open.
Which focus suits your trip?
The Katharinenmarkt offers a recurring date, while the chapels and Roman camp focus mainly on historical themes. The Steinhorst Basin offers a different emphasis: protected habitats and birdwatching from the locations specified for that purpose.
Discover more destinations: Borchen, Bad Lippspringe, Altenbeken, Herbram, Paderborn, Hövelhof, Barkhausen, Salzkotten.
Return to the main travel overview: Paderborn.
