Trifter

There aren’t many people who haven’t heard the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. But just in case you are one of them, here’s the short version: this small German town was once infested by thousands of rats, which posed a huge menace to its citizens. Legend has it, that one day a piper came along and promised the citizens of Hamelin that he could solve their problem in return for a payment. The citizens, already fed-up with the annoying rats, agreed immediately to the piper’s demand. True to his word, the piper played an enchanting tune and managed to get all the rats to follow him out of town. The villagers on the other hand failed to keep their end of the bargain. The piper left the town empty handed only to return a few days later. This time he played another tune and the mesmerizing effect it had was not on rats but on the town’s children. While the elders were attending church, the kids followed the piper out of town never to be seen again.

Made famous by the Grimm Brothers and Robert Browning, the tale of the revengeful piper dressed in pied has for years been a staple fairytale worldwide. The disappearance of the “Hämelschen Kinder” (children of Hamelin) in 1284 made Hamelin became known world-wide. The first mention of the story was on a stained glass window in the church of Hamelin in c. 1300. Hamelin town records dating back to 1284 also contain the earliest written proof of the story.

Located on the German Fairytale Route, which includes other famous fairytale settings like that of Snow White and the seven dwarfs (Lauterbach), Little Red Riding Hood (Ziegenhain/Schwalmstadt), Sleeping Beauty (Sababurg castle) and the Bremen town musicians (Bremen), Hamelin is not only a town of fascinating tales but also of amazing architecture.

The town has an interesting history. It was founded at the river Weser in 851 AD as Benedictine Monastery Hameln (German for Hamelin). Around the year 1200, a market colony called “civitas” (town) was established nearby.  Hamelin´s rich merchants constructed beautiful buildings in the Weser Renaissance style in the 16th century. Hamelin was later developed as the strongest fortress of the Hanoverian principality. The work which started in 1664 ended at the end of the 18th century with the fortification of the Klüt mountain. Hamelin was thus surrounded by four fortresses and came to be known as the “Gibraltar of the North”.

However, in 1808 Hamelin surrendered to Napolean’s forces without a fight. On his orders, all the historic walls and guard towers of Hamelin were pulled down by his forces. In 1843, the sightseeing tower called “Klütturm” was built by the people of Hamelin out of the ruins of Fort George. It is located on the Klüt Hill and is a popular tourist spot offering a great view to the old town. The rich history of Hamelin is enhanced by the fact that it also briefly came under Prussian rule in 1867.

In 1968, the old town went through a complete restoration process that was completed in 1992. The town still reflects Hamelin’s rich history and culture in the form of the immaculately designed Weser Renaissance buildings and other architectural influences. As it looks today, the old town is certainly a throwback to the past, and as you will notice, will continue to remind you of the Pied Piper at every step.

I had the chance to visit Hamelin on a sunny May afternoon and decided to chronicle my journey. Here is a selection of some of the pictures I took:

Painted white rats on the floor take you on a tour of the city! As soon as you enter the old town, a row of white rats guide you through the town streets and make sure that you don’t miss out on any of its attractions.

The town bakery which served rat shaped sweet breads.

The first house we came across.

Yes! McDonalds!!! And definitely one of the most unique McDonald buildings in the world – the logo doesn’t even have the traditional yellow colour, but some shade of brown to go along with the old town’s architecture.

Another colourful building in the old town.

A one of a kind entrance!

A neat row of houses where each one looks different from the one next to it.

Depiction of the Pied Piper on one of the city walls.

The town bells.

Yet another rendition of the Pied Piper.

The small alleys between the houses.

….more fabulous architecture

Heart of the city!

….and of course, the tourists!!