Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Siegen, Germany

In the picturesque rural and hilly landscape of South Westphalia, Siegen serves as a university city that historically functioned as a residence for the Counts of Nassau. This noble lineage faced significant challenges during the 17th century, culminating in the division into Catholic and Protestant branches.

The Catholic faction resided in the Oberes Schloss (Upper Palace), situated atop the Seigberg, which now houses a museum dedicated to the Siegerland region. Conversely, the Protestants opted for the Unteres Schloss located in the lower town, currently serving as a university facility.

In German, Siegen is referred to as the Rubensstadt, owing to its status as the birthplace of the renowned Baroque artist, Peter Paul Rubens. Every five years, a distinguished contemporary art prize in Rubens’ honor is awarded to prominent figures in the art world, with acclaimed artists such as Sigmar Polke and Francis Bacon among the list of recipients.

Let’s delve into the most noteworthy attractions in Siegen:

1. Oberes Schloss

Perched atop the 307-metre Sieberg hill stands a palace with origins dating back to 1259. Initially, the Oberes Schloss functioned as a fortification jointly owned by the Counts of Nassau and the Archbishops of Cologne.

In the 1400s, the Counts of Nassau assumed exclusive authority over the castle and city, leading to refinements following a fire in the early 16th century.

The reconstruction introduced the palace’s Gotische Halle (Gothic Hall) on the upper floor and the Oraniersaal (Orange Room) on the second floor.

In the 18th century, the palace’s interior was transformed in the Baroque style, and in 1905, it became home to the Siegerlandmuseum, which will be discussed in detail next.

2. Siegerlandmuseum

Located within the Oberes Schloss, this museum showcases the art and history of the Siegerland region.

The museum features a major attraction: the Rubens-Saal, which displays ten significant paintings by the Old Master Peter Paul Rubens, a native of Siegen, born in 1577. Among the collection is a notable version of The Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus, created in 1618. Additionally, portraits of all members of the Orange and Nassau lines are exhibited, along with a narrative detailing the region’s 2,500-year history of iron ore mining and smelting.

The Gotische Halle impresses with its exquisite flooring, adorned with greywacke stones arranged in a herringbone pattern.

3. Schlosspark Siegen

Surrounding the palace, the former palace gardens have been transformed into a picturesque 2.3-hectare park.

The Schlosspark was opened to the public in 1888 following the castle’s acquisition from the Prussian Empire.

This park is partially encircled by the historic fortifications of Siegberg, and visitors can ascend bastions and ramparts for panoramic views of the city and the Hüttental beyond. The park features many large, mature trees, vibrant flowerbeds, a café, and a playground for children.

An ideal time to visit Schlosspark is in the spring when 60,000 tulips bloom spectacularly.

Moreover, in the summer, the park hosts outdoor concerts at the bandstand.

4. Schlossplatz Unteres Schloss

The history of the Nassau-Siegen house is intricate, given its division into Catholic and Protestant lines in 1623.

The Protestants established residence in a former monastery located in the city center, positioned west of the Oberes Schloss.

A defining feature of the Unteres Schloss is the Dicke Turm (fat tower), constructed in 1721, which boasts a carillon that chimes daily at 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, and 18:00. Following the conclusion of the Protestant line in 1722, the tower housed various occupants, including regional governments after Siegerland fell under Prussian rule in 1815, and a court system from 1864 to 1976. After extensive restoration, it now hosts the University of Siegen’s library and business faculty.

In the summer, Schlossplatz, the square in front, transforms into a venue for open-air cinema screenings and features a large screen when the German national football team competes in international events.

5. Museum für Gegenwartskunst

Situated on the southern side of Schlossplatz, housed within a former telegraph building and its modern extension, is Siegen’s dedicated museum for contemporary art.

This museum exhibits the Lambrecht-Schadeberg Collection, which compiles works from all winners of Siegen’s Rubens Prize.

This prestigious pan-European award has been presented every five years since 1957 and has featured celebrated artists such as Cy Twombly, Francis Bacon, Sigmar Polke, Hans Hartung, and Lucien Freud.

The most recent honoree was Swiss minimalist Niele Toroni in 2017. Furthermore, the museum organizes three to four temporary exhibitions annually that focus on specific artists, movements, or themes.

Recent exhibitions have showcased works by notable figures including Mischa Kuball, Sigmar Polke, Takako Saito, and Francis Bacon.

6. Nikolaikirche

Located at the highest point of Siegen’s medieval heart, the Nikolaikirche was constructed in the early half of the 13th century.

The church’s imposing 50-meter tower stands out due to its striking red and white color scheme.

Atop the tower rests the Krönchen, a radiant emblem of Siegen.

This feature is a replica of the two-meter, gilded wrought iron crown from 1658, with the original displayed above the portal just inside the church.

Another distinctive aspect of the Nikolaikirche is its nave, characterized by a hexagonal design.

This architectural feature dates back to the church’s original Romanesque structure and is unique as the only church north of the Alps to employ this format.

7. Altstadt

As a historically significant mining and smelting city, Siegen was subjected to extensive bombing during the Second World War, with one particular raid on December 16, 1944, resulting in substantial devastation. Nevertheless, a cluster of old houses from the 1700s situated just beneath the town hall remarkably survived.

These houses display a variety of architectural styles, including slate cladding and half-timbering.

They can be found on Oberer Metzgerstraße, Löhstraße, and Hainstraße, areas that were once home to the city’s tanners’ and butchers’ guilds during medieval times.

In September, the Altstadtfest on Pfarrer-Ochse-Platz draws around 10,000 attendees, showcasing German and international culinary stalls, street performances, and concerts held in the city’s three churches.

8. Aktives Museum Südwestfalen

Just a street south of the Schlossplatz is a museum dedicated to the history of National Socialism in South Westphalia, located at a site of significant historical importance.

The Aktives Museum was inaugurated in 1996 in a bunker built in 1941, situated on the location of Siegen’s synagogue, which was set ablaze during Kristallnacht in 1938. Emphasis is placed on Jewish history within the exhibit, along with the narratives of other persecuted groups, such as the Romani minority, those with disabilities, and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Visitors may discover the story of Walter Krämer, a prisoner in the Buchenwald concentration camp, who harnessed his self-taught medical skills to assist fellow inmates. For his efforts, he was posthumously honored with the Righteous Among the Nations distinction by the State of Israel in 2000.

9. Reinhold Forster Erbstollen

In the Eiserfeld district lies a half-kilometer mining tunnel available for guided tours during the summer months.

The Reinhold Forster Erbstollen is an adit, which provides horizontal access to the Eisenzecher Zug ore composite mine.

This adit dates back to the 15th century and remained in operation until 1960, reflecting a major enterprise encompassing over 20 interconnected pits.

At its entrance stands an impressive Neoclassical portal erected in 1879, inscribed with the date of 1805, marking when the gallery was excavated.

The Reinhold Forster Erbstollen was constructed to facilitate access to the Tretenbacher Gänge, passages descending as deep as 1,300 meters.

10. Alter Flecken, Freudenberg

Located 15 kilometers west of Siegen is one of South Westphalia’s most cherished historical landscapes.

The Alter Flecken represents the town of Freudenberg’s well-preserved historic core, characterized by uniform gabled half-timbered structures.

These residences date predominantly from the 16th and 17th centuries, following a fire that devastated Freudenberg’s castle in 1540. Subsequently, Wilhelm, the Count of Nassau, opted to establish his new residence outside the town.

This decision paved the way for the construction of homes along four parallel streets: Marktstraße, Mittelstraße, Unterstraße, and Poststraße, which were equipped with water channels and wells for fire prevention.

11. Monte Schlacko

In the Geisweid district, near the university, lies a unique landform colloquially referred to as “Fujijama,” likening it to Mount Fuji.

This comparison is accurate given that this slag heap rises to 373.8 meters above sea level, exhibiting a distinct conical shape.

The heap comprises waste from the Bremer Hütte metallurgical plant, which has been accumulating since 1900.

The refuse was transported to this site from the blast furnaces utilizing a cable car system.

Monte Schlacko is the highest elevation in Siegen, and due to its nutrient-deficient soil, it is only partially vegetated.

Areas of vegetation are preserved as a nature reserve due to the unusual flora and fauna that thrive in this distinct environment.

12. Tierpark Niederfischbach

If you are visiting Siegen with young children, consider a family excursion to the nearby animal park located to the west of the city.

The Tierpark Niederfischbach houses around 500 animals in a 3-hectare wooded setting.

The monkey house (Affenhaus) features southern white-cheeked gibbons and Barbary apes, and other exotic inhabitants include pumas, Saki deer, Bennett kangaroos, and a variety of birds such as laughing kookaburras, flamingos, and rheas.

From April to November, the park hosts falconry demonstrations, and a petting area allows children to interact with Shetland ponies, goats, and donkeys.

13. Rothaarsteig

The forested regions surrounding Siegen comprise some of the least populated areas in Germany, offering an opportunity for tranquil exploration of this mountainous terrain along the Rothaarsteig trail.

This 150-kilometer route runs just east of Siegen, traversing southward from Brilon to Dillenburg.

Siegen is conveniently located near the southern section of the trail, easily accessible via footpaths leading from the city.

These connecting trails are clearly marked with a black “R” on a yellow background, while the main trail features a similar design with white on a red background.

14. City-Galerie Siegen

Situated in Siegen’s lower town, near the main railway station, the City-Galerie is a shopping mall that opened in 1998, featuring 100 stores and services.

With the establishment of the City-Galerie, many national chain retailers relocated to the lower town, while the upper town on Siegberg is home to independent and family-owned businesses.

The mall hosts popular retailers commonly found on German high streets, such as S.Oliver, Douglas, Esprit, NewYorker, Gamestop, and Deichmann.

Additionally, a few national fast-food chains, including the fish and chips restaurant Nordsee, are also available.

15. Siegerländer Krüstchen

For those seeking local comfort food, a traditional dish found in nearly every local restaurant is the Siegerländer Krüstchen.

This dish consists of schnitzel (either deep-fried or grilled escalope) topped with a fried egg and served on a slice of rye toast.

Accompanying sides typically include French fries, roasted potatoes, or potato salad, alongside a salad and pickles.

The perfect accompaniment for this meal is a tall glass of regional pilsner beer, such as Irle, Bosch, Erzquell, Krombacher, or Ilsen.