The Lindenbrauerei in Unna is an anchor point on the Route of Industrial Heritage. Behind its historic industrial façade, it now houses a modern cultural and communications centre with a theatre, popular bars and the Centre for International Light Art. Industrial history and contemporary culture come together here, with light art adding its own distinctive touch. So discovering Unna begins not with a mere backdrop, but with a building that is still put to a variety of uses today.
Architectural history and cultural venues
The Unna district spans everything from medieval buildings to repurposed industrial sites. The collegiate church of Cappenberg is a three-aisled Romanesque pillar basilica, completed in 1148. Cappenberg Castle in Selm, in turn, is one of the most significant examples of Westphalian Baroque monastic architecture. These two buildings represent different periods and architectural styles. Haus Opherdicke also has deep roots: its foundations date back to the 12th century. At the same time, it is an example of how heritage conservation and contemporary use can go hand in hand.
Haus Opherdicke Museum brings this historic site to life with exhibitions and educational programmes. It offers guided tours for groups such as senior citizens and school classes, as well as workshops where visitors can try painting for themselves. The Unna district also has a rich and varied museum scene, so its cultural venues offer more than just one way to explore.
Industrial buildings here have also taken on new cultural roles. The Königsborn III/IV winding tower in Bönen is now a venue for music and cabaret. Events held there have included Extraschicht, film screenings and music festivals; individual programmes may change. Visitors who want to explore the interior can climb the stairs on foot to a height of 55 metres. Check current access arrangements before visiting. In Schwerte, the Rohrmeisterei, an industrial heritage site, combines a varied cultural programme with its industrial history; specific events there may also change.
Forests, hiking trails and cycling routes
The “Forests near Cappenberg” have been designated a “Special Area of Conservation” by the European Union and established as a nature reserve by the Unna district. Numerous hiking routes run through the forest. The Cappenberg Forest School is recommended as an excursion destination that is also suitable for children. Nature conservation, outdoor activities and a specific tip for a family outing are all on offer, though not every route has the same character.
For longer hikes, the WestfalenWanderWeg runs from Hattingen to Altenbeken. In the Unna district, it crosses the foothills of the Ardey Hills and continues into the Haarstrang ridge. Hiking tours in the Unna district follow signposted trails; as some route materials may be updated, it is worth checking the latest information before setting off.
For cycling, the RadKreisUnna route covers almost 100 kilometres, linking sights, historic towns, industrial heritage and landscapes. The A-Wege cycling programme complements it with eleven circular routes of varying lengths and difficulty levels. Each municipality in the Unna district has its own circular route. The A-Wege map sheets give the route distance, approximate travel time and elevation gain. A QR code links to a GPX file, and the maps also include descriptions of sights and information about the route. This lets you compare the route and estimated time required in advance.
Another option is the Entdecker-Pass: its ten cycling and hiking tours pass through all the towns and municipalities in the Unna district, with a particular focus on sights that are interesting for children and invite them to get involved. The hiking routes are generally 10 kilometres long, while the cycling routes are 20 kilometres. Comparing them can help you choose how to get around and find a suitable route length. Pilgrim routes also cross the district: the Westphalian Way of St James forms part of the north–south route from Münster and Werne via Lünen to Dortmund; the east–west route follows the old Hellweg through Unna.
Water landscapes in the Unna district
The Unna district lies on the eastern edge of the Ruhr region, with its outskirts extending into the northern MĂĽnsterland and southern Sauerland. There is plenty of greenery between the Lippe and Ruhr rivers, while the rivers and canals offer different ways to enjoy the water. Canoeing is available on the Lippe and, especially, the Ruhr. The Datteln-Hamm Canal is suitable for motorboat users.
The Westphalian water sports centre “Marina Rünthe” in Bergkamen is a hub for water sports. Even if you do not go boating yourself, you can spend time there and look at the boats in the harbour. The Preußenhafen waterway rest area in Lünen is also on the Datteln-Hamm Canal; it is a stopover and excursion destination for hikers and cyclists. The harbour building on the eastern bank houses a tourist information office and a kiosk with a snack area.
The lakes also each have their own story. Ternscher See in Selm is fed exclusively by springs and groundwater. It was created during the expansion of the Dortmund–Ems Canal in the early 1930s, covers around 15 hectares and is up to 9 metres deep. Seepark Lünen covers around 60 hectares and was developed on a former subsidence area that was restored to nature for the 1996 State Garden Show. At its heart is the roughly 9-hectare Horstmarer See, with a sandy beach and gently sloping shore. Their origins, scale and design set these two water landscapes apart.
Discover more destinations: Selm, Unna, Lünen, Kamen, Bergkamen, Fröndenberg/Ruhr, Schwerte, Holzwickede, Werne, Bönen.
Back to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.
