This city in Lower Saxony was also known as the “Gibraltar of the North”

The British overseas territory of Gibraltar lies on a peninsula on the southern coast of Spain . It is known primarily for its striking, over 400-meter-high limestone cliffs and the famous Barbary macaques.

Among the highlights is the old Moorish fortress, which was recaptured from the Spanish during the Reconquista between 1309 and 1333. When Turkish pirates attacked the city in 1540, hundreds of people sought refuge in this very castle.

Due to its strategically perfect location—right at the entrance to the Mediterranean—Gibraltar was long considered virtually impregnable militarily. It's no wonder, then, that northern locations with similarly strong defenses are still often referred to as the " Gibraltar of the North ."

For example, the imposing Suomenlinna sea fortress near Helsinki – one of the largest in the world and an absolute must-see for Finland fans. Or the old fortress in Luxembourg, also a proud bearer of the nickname. And yes – Germany once had its own "Gibraltar of the North."

Most people know Hamelin because of the famous Pied Piper. But the Lower Saxon town on the Weser River is not just a fairytale setting; it has also made real military history as the "Gibraltar of the North."

Unlike the "original" Gibraltar, the former fortress of Hamelin on the Klüt was never captured—at least not by force. The reasons, however, were an embarrassing failure and a certain gentleman from Corsica.

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Already during the Seven Years' War (1756 to 1763), Hamelin had been developed into a "modern state fortress" with a star-shaped defense belt.

But on July 26, 1757, the Hanoverian army lost the Battle of Hastenbeck due to a stupid misunderstanding: No one knew exactly who had actually won. The British commander-in-chief, the Duke of Cumberland, thought the battle was lost – and promptly abandoned the battlefield and the fortress of Hamelin. Unfortunately, the French were almost on their way home, noticed the retreat, and decided to turn around. Hamelin was occupied without a fight.

After the war, Hamelin was fortified even more heavily. The highlight of the whole project was the castle complex on the Klütberg hill on the other side of the Weser. It was built starting in 1777 under Count Wilhelm von Schaumburg-Lippe and consisted of three mighty forts. During this time, Hamelin was considered "impregnable" and was also given the nickname "Gibraltar of the North," as it is officially stated today on the websites of the city and the district of Hamelin-Pyrmont .

The ground plan of the town and fortress of Hamelin clearly shows the star-shaped fortification belt of the town between 1710 and 1750.

Source: IMAGO/piemags

But then Napoleon came. In 1803, French troops occupied the city, disbanded the Hanoverian military, abolished the Electorate, and finally (with the Prussians intervening) made Hamelin part of the newly created "Kingdom of Westphalia." And as if that weren't enough, in 1808 Napoleon had the entire fortress demolished—that is, torn down without leaving a trace. Within half a year, everything was flattened.

After the demolition of Hamelin Fortress by Napoleon in 1808, the archway at the Waldbühne remained as one of the few architectural remnants.

If the fortress were still standing today, the town of Hamelin believes it would be a "tourist attraction beyond compare." At the time, however, people were secretly glad that the restrictive walls and moats were gone. After all, the people of Hamelin never actually wanted a state fortress. As early as the 16th century, there was resistance to its expansion. A fortress meant problems: military control, restrictions on the town's growth, a constant troop presence, and hardly any opportunities for development.

Nevertheless, after Napoleon's demolition, it took over 40 years before the city was officially allowed to use the site again. According to the Hameln Chronicle, this was due to "tough negotiations between the Hameln magistrate and the War Ministry in Hanover" – a true bureaucratic ballad. It wasn't until 1850 that Hameln got its land back.

And today? Little remains of the former fortress—most of its remains are hidden beneath the forest on the Klüt. Nevertheless, a visit is absolutely worthwhile, and not just for lost-places fans or history nerds.

From the Klütturm you have a fantastic view.

Source: Lena C. Stawski

The local mountain of Hamelin's residents is one of the region's most popular destinations, and Klüt is particularly busy on weekends. In addition to a forest nature trail, you'll find a restaurant at the summit, and those who like it can stop off at the Finkenborn Forester's Lodge further down, right by the parking lot.

The highlight, however, is the fantastic view: from the Klüt and the tower you can see the Weserbergland, the Pyrmonter Bergland and present-day Hameln.

An information board commemorates the time when the Klüt was still part of a strategic defensive ring. Near the Waldbühne (forest stage), an old archway still stands, which originally belonged to the entrance of one of the forts.

From the Klüt you can see today's Hameln, the Süntel behind it and even as far as the Deister.

Source: Lena C. Stawski

Even down in the city, you'll find traces of the old fortress—for example, on the Fluthamel, a canal that was once part of the elaborate fortification system. Today, it burbles peacefully through the city center, as if it no longer wants to remember that it was once taken seriously.

And if all that doesn't entice you to Hamelin, don't worry: The Pied Piper and his exciting story are present throughout the town. There are also charming half-timbered houses, magnificent Weser Renaissance buildings, relaxed cafés on Bäckerstraße and Osterstraße, and the fairytale flair of an old town that invites you to stroll and enjoy yourself.

In Bäckerstraße (in the picture) and Osterstraße in Hameln's old town, historic buildings, cafés, bars, restaurants and shops line up next to each other.

Source: imago images/imagebroker

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