Romanesque churches, traces of the city’s history and a redesigned river landscape give Kamen its distinctive character. If you’re planning a stay, you can choose from architectural history, museums and activities around the Seseke.

City history in churches, the market square and historic buildings

St. Paul’s Church is a Romanesque church, with its first building dating from the 12th century. Its tower, which leans westward against the prevailing wind, is Kamen’s landmark. The Old Market was originally the centre of medieval Kamen and remains a meeting place and venue for events in the town centre. The Old Town Hall is a stucco building with a partly enclosed arcaded loggia and served as the town hall until 1976.

A remnant of the old town wall stands at the western entrance to Ostenmauer. The wall was built in the 13th century from green Anröchte sandstone. In Methler, the Church of St. Margaret is another destination for architecture enthusiasts: this Late Romanesque hall church has the oldest known church roof structure in Westphalia. Heeren Castle, meanwhile, is an early Baroque moated castle that can be rented for weddings and conferences. Private ownership may affect access, so check in advance whether a visit is possible.

Museum and historic city tour

The House of City History combines a museum of local history with a historical archive and research library, and is open to the public. Its programme includes exhibitions, guided tours, lectures, readings, concerts and educational activities; individual events may change. A model shows Kamen as it was around 1750. At a children’s station, visitors can try on replicas of medieval helmets and coifs.

A historic city tour visits important places in the town centre and lasts about 90 minutes. Before your trip, check whether the tour is available on your chosen date. This makes it easy to fit the walk into your day, while a visit to the House of City History offers a separate focus on Kamen’s local past.

The Seseke: river restoration and art

The Seseke was transformed from a straightened, concrete-lined canal into a naturally shaped, winding river with shallow-water zones and retention areas. The restoration encouraged the return of flora and fauna and created new habitats. The river is also the subject of public art: “JETZT und der Fluss” uses stone gabions to frame views of the Seseke and prompt reflection on time and change.

The “Pixelröhre” is also part of the Seseke route. This landscape artwork represents the river’s transformation from a wastewater canal into a river. Kamen’s cycle paths also pass artworks from the “Über Wasser gehen” project, including “JETZT und der Fluss”. If you’re planning a specific bike ride, check the latest route information; conditions along routes and at installations can change.

Park and cycling routes

The centrally located Seseke Park has playgrounds, lawns for picnics and a beach volleyball court. The park is on the Seseke Cycle Route, offering another starting point for planning activities around the river. For a longer ride, there is a described 17-kilometre beginner route around Kamen, which follows cycle paths away from motor traffic almost all the way.

The city tour and cycling route offer different ways to plan your stay: about 90 minutes for the historic walk and 17 kilometres for the beginner’s ride. Choose whether you’d rather focus on architectural history and museums or on cycling, river restoration and art.

Discover more destinations

Holzwickede, Bönen, Werne, Selm, Bergkamen, Fröndenberg/Ruhr, Schwerte, Unna

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