Osnabrück is a city in Lower Saxony, some 80 km NNE of Dortmund, 45 km NE of Münster, and some 100 km due west of Hanover. It lies in a valley penned between the Wiehen Hills and the northern tip of the Teutoburg Forest. Its population is at 165,000, making it the third-largest city in Lower Saxony, after Hanover and Brunswick.
Nowadays, people still come together where merchants used to meet in the old days: The “Markt” remains the heart of the city and hosts weddings, festivals, wine stands and Christmas markets. Its picturesque flair is formed by the Town Hall of the Peace of Westphalia, the “Stadtwaage”, the St Mary’s Church, the late Romanesque St Peter’s Cathedral and the high gables of the old merchant houses.
From 1412 – 1669, Osnabrück was a member of the “Hanse” (Hanseatic League), the most important trading alliance of its time that brought great stature and wealth to its member cities. Nowadays, the old trade routes turned into pleasant streets with attractive shops. This mixture of historic quarters and modern architecture is the hallmark of Osnabrück whose status as a university city (around 20,000 students) completes its long history of Episcopal power. The young, top flight university, the technical college with its popular international study programs and the German Federal Environment Foundation (DBU), located in Osnabrück, are all important factors for the creation of an innovative climate.
Osnabrück is popular for being compact. Whether for sightseeing, shopping, strolling or studying – a good layout and short distances are a plus for all guests. Today Osnabrück (163,000 inhabitants) is the third largest city in Lower Saxony and the only German city situated in a nature reserve. With 1,220 square kilometers the UNESCO Geo Park TERRA.vita is wide open for cycling or hiking tours or for improving your handicap on one of the many golf courses around Osnabrück.
