A stay in Selm can have different focuses: you can swim at Lake Ternscher See, which also has a campsite and a woodland lido. In Cappenberg, the castle, theater and music offer other points of interest, while Botzlar Castle has a history dating back to the 12th century. When choosing accommodation, it is worth deciding first what brings you here: the water, culture or a seasonal event.

History and architecture in Selm

The history of Botzlar Castle in Selm dates back to the 12th century. Cappenberg Castle is located in the Cappenberg district on a ridge that shapes the surrounding landscape. The castle theater opened there in 1999 and has room for 235 spectators. This comparison offers different ways to explore the area: Botzlar Castle foregrounds its long historical development, while Cappenberg Castle combines its place in the landscape with a theater whose capacity is clearly stated. If you do not want to base your interest in culture solely on an event date, these differences offer additional perspectives when choosing your stay.

St. Stephen’s Parish Church in Selm-Bork reflects a different time frame. The building, originally designed with a single nave, was constructed from 1718 to 1724; Cappenberg sandstone was used primarily at first. “Single-nave” describes the original layout, with one nave rather than several. This connects the church’s building history with specific dates and a particular material. The comparison places a precisely dated 18th-century building project alongside Botzlar Castle’s much older historical roots.

Concerts and seasonal events

From April to September, vespers concerts organized by the Unna district take place on the first Sunday of every month in the former collegiate and monastery church in Cappenberg. The parish also holds organ concerts there. If you are planning a trip specifically for a vespers concert, check the exact date for the year you have in mind. The monthly schedule provides seasonal guidance, but the specific concert date remains key to planning your trip.

In Selm’s old town, the Advent market marks a different point in the calendar: traditionally, it takes place on the weekend of the first Sunday of Advent. If you are planning a trip to Selm for the market, check the exact date for the year you have in mind. The two possible travel periods are clearly different: vespers concerts take place between April and September, while the Advent market is traditionally held on the weekend of the first Sunday of Advent.

Water and cycling

Lake Ternscher See offers a different focus. You can swim there, and there is also a campsite and a woodland lido. If you are planning your stay around these facilities, it is a good idea to check the latest information in advance. Planning a trip to the lake therefore starts with what you want to do, while trips for concerts or markets are more closely tied to a specific date.

Another option is the “Selm between Castle and Lake” circular cycling route, a suggested tour in Selm. It adds cycling as a focus in its own right. When deciding on your stay, it helps to compare the reasons for traveling: history and architecture, a concert or market tied to a specific date, swimming at the lake or a suggested cycling route each offer a different emphasis.

Discover more destinations: Werne, Bönen, Fröndenberg/Ruhr, Lünen, Schwerte, Unna, Bergkamen, Holzwickede.

Go to the main travel overview: Unna.