5 Things To Know About The Little-Known City of Osnabrück
When traveling to Germany, people would opt to visit cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt am Main, or Cologne. No doubt that these are beautiful cities, but there is more to discover in Germany than exploring its most-visited places.
Enter Osnabrück, one of the cities in the state of Lower Saxony. It may not be as big as Berlin or as vibrant as Munich, but Osnabrück is a simple city packed with a lot to offer. Here are five ways to know about the city.
1. It’s nickname? “Die Friedensstadt”
In the history books, Osnabrück has been tagged “City of Peace” due to its role in ending Thirty Years’ War. The city, besides nearby city Münster, played host to dignitaries who signed the Treaty of Westphalia. Today, this nickname gives life to the calm, peaceful atmosphere of the city as you walk. Like many European cities, Osnabrück is a walkable and photogenic city where you can enjoy long walks without the intrusion of traffic.
2.If you feel like spending a lot on food, look no further.
Osnabrück is a city of food, in my opinion. Right in the Altstadt, you will find steakhouses, a stretch of road filled with restaurants and a food court, and a three-star Michelin restaurant. You can never go wrong with the choices this city offers!
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3. Art is also found in Osnabrück.
The city of Osnabrück is home to the Felix Nussbaum Haus (museum info here), a museum designed by Daniel Libeskind, who was also behind the master plan for the World Trade Centre reconstruction. This museum and exhibition venue is dedicated to the German-Jewish painter Felix Nussbaum, who died at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust.
4. Rubbing elbows with locals while enjoying great live music? Check.
Osnabrück stages a public street festival called Maiwoche every year during May. Maiwoche is one of the biggest open-air inner city festivals in Northern Germany. This festival has something for every one: live band music, family events, food stands, and carnival rides. Best of all, it’s an eleven-day event so you won’t be left behind.
5. Experience hitting three states and a city of another country from here.
From Osnabrück Hauptbahnhof, you can travel all the way to any city in the neighboring state of North Rhine-Westphalia, with Münster being 30 minutes away by train; the rest of the state of Lower Saxony, and the city-state of Bremen. Bonus part is that from Osnabrück, you can take a direct train trip to Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Besides being a railway hub, Osnabrück also has an airport shared with the city of Münster. The Münster Osnabrück Airport, which is located in a small city between Münster and Osnabrück, caters to daily regional and international flights.
Osnabrück is a city that has its own identity and a lot to offer. I’m sure that Osnabrück will fulfill what you can see, feel, taste, and do in order to enjoy a city. Here’s hoping you’ll include Osnabrück to your next European travel itinerary!
Also Read:
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- Pointers for Getting A German Schengen Visa
- Things You Need to Do When You’re In a New City
- On the Bucket List: Cologne Cathedral, Germany
- Visiting the Port City of Bremerhaven, Germany