Forming part of the Nature Park Ebbegebirge, Attendorn is a historic town that flourished in the Middle Ages at the crossroads of the “Health Road” and “King’s Road”. It was once home to an archbishopric mint and medieval coins, which were created in the town and found in modern-day Belgium, Poland and Sweden.
Things to do in Attendorn
Occupying the old town hall in the heart of Attendorn is the Südsauerlandmuseum, which explores the artistic and cultural history of the Olpe district. It is the oldest museum in Westphalia, founded in 1898. It features exhibits dedicated to local customs, historic hunting activities and rural life. A highlight of the collection is the Westphalian Tin Figure Cabinet.
On the northern side of Attendorn stands the Bieketurm, a three-storey defensive tower dating back to the 13th century, when it was built as part of the town’s fortifications. Once used as a prison and later to store ice, it has been home to an armoury and rifle museum since 1993. In addition to royal chains worn by schützenkönigs, it houses vintage weapons and antique flags.
A short drive from Attendorn is one of the largest and most beautiful dripstone caves in Germany, which has been open to visitors since 1907. Featuring impressive stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone drapes, the Atta Cave stretches for around six kilometres and remains at a constant temperature of 9° Celcius. In the aptly named “health grotto”, you can relax on loungers while breathing in the cave’s pure air.
Getting around Attendorn
Attendorn is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Dortmund and just over an hour from Cologne. Cologne Bonn Airport is an hour away and has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular trains connect to the Attendorn railway station and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.