Middelages meets modern spirit
In the once independent city of Herford, whose citizens crated one of the first constitutions of council in Germany in 1220, the community of today faces the challenges of the present. An impressive example is the centre of competence for furniture, art and architecture - MARTa, designed by Frank O. Gery. MARTa stands for quality, striving to be different, cosmopolitanism and the abolition of the right angle.
The Hanseatic city of Herford, the beginnings of which trace back to the foundation of the Damenstift (Highly titled independent charitable institution for ladies), looks back to a more than 1200 years old history.
The origin of the city was the first convent of Westfalia.
By the year 800 the convent was displaced to Herford and developed as an independent Fürstenabtei (abbey for which the prince and the pope were responsible only at that time).
In 1256 the abbey and the city of Herford agreed upon a common government. So they govorned any matters themselves - like a free city.
In 1375 the Herforder Rechtsbuch (the first record of a valid law) was established, beeing one of the most important hand written laws of the Mittle Ages.
Flax and linnen made the city rich. Today the centre of the so-called Wittekindsland is well known due to its textile and furniture industry. For many big companies and the midium-sized business Herford is an attractive economic plance, located in the heart of Europe.
Online-Card - Herford
"Culture is quality of life"
... that is the conviction. Beside MARTa there is a very interesting cultural back ground, standing every comparison. For example the theatre, the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie (philharmonic orchestra), the academy of church, music, the so-called Orgelvespern in the Münster of Herford (organ recitals). In addition there is the Daniel Pöppelmann-Haus (Municipal museum), the library, the communal archive and the music school. "SPORTS KEEPS FIT" - whatever you want you can do. H2O - the new, combined in- and outdoor swimming pool with its fantastic sauna-area, two open-air-swimming-pools, Jahn-stadium, ice rink, golf-courses, sports centres for tennis and fitness, or one of the many sports clubs can be taken up in Herford. Or simply outdoors - jogging, walking - enjoy your life.
... that is the conviction. Beside MARTa there is a very interesting cultural back ground, standing every comparison. For example the theatre, the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie (philharmonic orchestra), the academy of church, music, the so-called Orgelvespern in the Münster of Herford (organ recitals). In addition there is the Daniel Pöppelmann-Haus (Municipal museum), the library, the communal archive and the music school. "SPORTS KEEPS FIT" - whatever you want you can do. H2O - the new, combined in- and outdoor swimming pool with its fantastic sauna-area, two open-air-swimming-pools, Jahn-stadium, ice rink, golf-courses, sports centres for tennis and fitness, or one of the many sports clubs can be taken up in Herford. Or simply outdoors - jogging, walking - enjoy your life.
Westfälischer Hansebund
Hamburg, Lübeck and Bremen are well known as hanseatic towns
everywhere. But just in 12th century salesmen founded an
organisation to protect themselves and to find new traderoutes. In
the 14th century the economy life was on the top. The commercial
centres went to the coast-areas, and the old salesroutes became
less important. In 1669 the hanseatic organisation doomed. On 25th
june 1983 20 former westfphalian hanseatic towns renew the Idea of
the HANSE. They founded the WESTFÄLISCHE HANSEBUND at Herford.
Herford is the headquaters. In 2006 the organisation consists of 43
members. Every year there is on weekend, the westphalian hanseatic
days take place, organized by a member of Westfälischer Hansebund.
(26th Westphalian Hanseday in Medebach from 22 to 23 August, 2009).
Manfred Schürkamp
Verkehrsverein Herford e.V.
E-Mail: manfred.schuerkamp@herford.de
Phone: +49 (5221) 189-249
