This is a picture of the combined Kendal Concert Band and Schlingborner Musikanten from Rinteln. Thanks (again) to Jim Quincey for the picture.
RINTELN
Kendal's Twin Town
This text is taken from a leaflet which was produced by the Kendal-Rinteln Association. The leaflet is available from the Kendal Tourist Information Centre.
You can also find information about Rinteln on the Kendal/Rinteln Association web page where there is also a further link to a Rinteln page in Germany. Thanks to Jim Quincey, Kendal Rinteln Association Chairman for that information.
WHERE IS RINTELN?
The town of Rinteln lies astride the river Weser in the broad valley between the hills of the Weserbergland and the North Lippe Bergland. In relation to some well known places, it is 60 kilometres west of Hanover, and just 20 kilometres from Hamelin of Pied Piper fame.
A SHORT HISTORY OF RINTELN
the town was founded in 1239 by Count Adolf IV of Schaumberg, and granted its town charter nine years later. Its main purpose was to guard the county borders.
In 1391 Rinteln became empowered to levy its own tolls, and in the following year Count Otto I presented the town with its fairs charter. As a result, Rinteln became the main trade centre for the surrounding area.
Two fairs are still held in Rinteln, in May and November each year.
In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the town underwent an economic boom, and the period saw the founding of the Ernestina University.
Most of the half timbered buildings standing today date from this period.
Rinteln's prosperity was severely affected by its involvement in the in the Thirty Years War, and by the plague which killed off half of the population.
During the eighteenth century, the town twice fell to the French army, and on one occasion was almost completely destroyed on the orders of Napoleon.
The coming of the railway in 1875 saw a return to economic growth, and the beginning of a large glass manufacturing plant.
Rinteln managed to survive the Second World War without any serious damage, and the population today stands at around 27,000, which includes the main town and a number of peripheral villages.
The centre retains its medieval character, with its timbered houses situated with in the old town walls. the university charter was withdrawn in the nineteenth century, but Rinteln is still a centre of learning. IN addition to the usual primary and secondary schools, it has a special school, two vocational colleges, a college of further education specialising in tax and finance, and a British comprehensive school catering of forces serving in the area.
The town is, like Kendal, a tourist centre, with its man-made lakes, the Doktorsee and the Helenensee, providing tremendous leisure facilities.
Sports facilities abound, with provision for swimming, athletics, water sports, and horse riding, to name but a few.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN AND AROUND RINTELN
The first thing that any visitor to Rinteln must do is to admire the wonderfully restored half-timbered buildings in the Altstadt. Although there are some traffic problems in the narrow streets, you will sooner or later arrive at the pedestrianised market place and St Nikolai church areas.
Here are the main meeting places for old and young alike, with numerous inviting cafes and restaurants. This is also where the annual fairs are held in May and November each year.
A few kilometres from Rinteln is the Klippenturm, a tower built on a hill, providing superb views over the Weser valley and the towns and villages. Other places to be visited include the Heimatmuseum, and the Schaumburg castle which gives its name to the country.
Rinteln town centre boasts a number of excellent hotels and guest houses, which can be used as a base to visit the beautiful countryside and historic towns which surround Rinteln.
Hamelin of Pied Piper fame is only 20 kilometres south of the town. The story of the Pied Piper is played out every Sunday at midday.
Minden is a similar distance to the north. Here can be found the thousand year old cathedral and the Rathaus. The Mittleland canal crosses the river Weser here, and boat trips can be taken from the Lock gates.
Bückeburg, 11 kilometres from Rinteln, has a castle, and the mausoleum of the Schaumburg princes. It also boasts the worlds only helicopter museum.
Bad Pyrmont is a beautiful "Kurpark", a health resort, with gardens, a small zoo, thermal springs, and a casino.
Hanover, the capital of Lower Saxony, is about 60 kilometres from Rinteln, it offers museums, theatres, concerts, casinos, as well as its romantic "Altstadt".
Close to Rinteln is the Doktorsee, a large lake with camping and caravan sites, and facilities for numerous water sports. Among these are sailing, canoeing, fishing and windsurfing, which are popular with locals and visitors alike.
Walkers are amply catered for, with well marked walks through the wooded countryside. Leaflets showing the various routes are available from the town's tourist office.
The river Weser, which runs through the town, provides opportunities for steamer trips, or exploration by car or bicycle.
There are two historic railways terminating in Rinteln, one through the Exter valley, and the other leading to Stadthagen.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
There are several options open to the independent traveller. Daily flights are available from Manchester airport to Hanover. Return flights currently cost in the region of 175. There is a rail service between Hanover and Rinteln.
Taking your own car, the most convenient route is overnight North Sea crossing from Hull to Rotterdam or Zeebrugge. The distance from Rotterdam to Rinteln is about 250 miles, mainly on dual carriageway. This is not cheap, however, with a cost in the region of 300 return for a car and two adults. A cheaper alternative is to drive down to Dover or Ramsgate for a shorter, and more frequent, crossings. Regency Travel of Highgate will be pleased to make your travel arrangements.
Coach travel is available from Kendal, and provides about the cheapest means of transport. A National Express coach takes you to London to connect with the continental service to Rinteln. The journey takes 24 hours.
Finally, travel by rail costs around 130 return. Details from Gates Travel Service in Highgate, who are the British Rail agents.
There are numerous hotels, guest houses and apartments in and around Rinteln. There are also camp sites at the Doktorsee, and a Youth Hostel which can be used by any member of the YHA (England or Wales)
Accommodation lists are available from the Kendal-Rinteln Association, or if you wish you can get more information directly from the Rinteln Tourist Office
Fremdverkehrsbüro Rinteln
Markplatz 7
3260 Rinteln
Tel (01049 5751) 40 31 58
Kendal-Rinteln Twinning association
The association was formed in 1991 to establish twinning links between the two towns. The aim of the Association is to promote international friendship, foster mutual exchanges at all levels, and broaden the understanding of the social, cultural, educational and economic life of each town.
Individual membership is open to everyone. Clubs, companies and other bodies can take out Corporate membership to cover all their members and employees.
Corporate members currently include the Kendal Lions Club, friends of the Edelweiss, Kendal young Singers, Westmorland Step and Garland Dancers, Kendal Concert Band, Kendal College, and Queen Katherine and Kirkbie Kendal schools. Clubs with a large element are particularly encouraged to join and take part in exchanges with their opposite numbers in Rinteln.
Our British contact in Rinteln is Mike Middleton, who can be contacted at
Deckberger Weg 26
3260 Rinteln 1
Germany
Tel (01049 5751) 76151
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