In the West of Germany, characterized by Weser river and Teutoburg Forest, you can find the beautiful land of the Eastwestphalias and the Lippes.
In the middle of EWL you can find Herford surrounded by the neighbouring towns Bielefeld, which is one of the twenty biggest metropolis in Germany, Bad Oeynhausen with its park of the Landesgartenschau (Garden Festival) "Aqua Magica" which invides you to stroll and Germanys second largest shopping centre "Werre-Park" which invides you to shop as well as Bad Salzuflen, popular for its mineral springs, the impressive graduation houses and the biggest hedge-labyrinth of continental Europe, "Hortus Vitalis".
Another favoured destination of an excursion is the Sparrencastle of Bielefeld which you can see on the first photo. Built between 1240 and 1250 from the Earl of Ravensberg it has been besieged often but never
stormed. After a large restoration today the castle presents itself in its impressive historical figure.
The conspicuous Hermann monument close to Detmold reminds of the legendary "Varus' Battle" in the year 9 A.D. and its Hero, the chieftain of the Cherusci Arminius, who inflicted a crushing defeat on the roman empire. From the balcony of the 55m/60yd high monument you have a superb view over the hill country of Lippe.
On the third photo you can see the mystical Externstones which are shrouded in legend. About 70 million years past originated in the course of rockformation, the 40m/45yd high rockconstellation always has been a cause for speculations. You can explore this nature-sight by using steps which are hewn in stone and a small, curved Bridge, which connects two of the rocks.
