Hamm: Exotic Corner on the Edge of the Ruhr Area

Hamm was founded in 1226 and immediately received city rights. Its name comes from the word Ham, which means corner in Low German dialect. This is an allusion to the geographical position of the city, located in the corner between the rivers Lippe and Ahse. In the Middle Ages Hamm was one of the most influential cities in the region, and in 1469 became a member of the Hanseatic League. The flourishing trade and crafts lasted until the XVII century, but then various disasters - epidemics, fires, and especially the Thirty Years' War - led to a decline in Hamm. In the middle of the XX century Hamm, as well as other cities of the Ruhr area, suffered from the crisis the coal and steel industry. But it managed to reorganize and didn’t become a dead city.

Elephants are the hallmark of the renewed Hamm. A huge glass elephant was the first opened in the city area in 1984: in its former life it was ... a coal washing building on the territory of the Maximilian mine. Today it is the most famous landmark of the city. It was already impossible to stop the further "invasion". Bright statues of elephants greet visitors at the station, a cartoon elephant flaunts on the city emblem with the slogan- Elefantastisch! And it is no wonder that Germany's largest Hindu temple - Sri Kamadchi Ampal Tempel - was built in Hamm. Formally, one is not related with the other, but too successful all came together!

There is what to see in the city in addition to elephants. In Hamm’s center several interesting buildings from different eras and styles survived. These are primarily two beautiful city estates in the late baroque style - Haus Vorschulze and Haus Stuniken; the region’s former Supreme Court building, which is now occupied by the Town Hall and the newly restored central station building with waiting rooms in the Art Deco style. 

Westphalian cuisine, which can be found in Hamm’s restaurants and cafes, abounds with simple in preparation, but nutrient and rather stick-to-your-ribs dishes. The old recipes that have survived with minimal changes are used until now. Among them are the Leberbrot - liver bread made of pork, liver, fat, flour and spices, or Möpkenbrot - a kind of blood sausage. Bread is much respected here, especially the famous Pumpernickel. Vegetables, wrongly forgotten in other parts, that formed the basis of everyday diet of many of the population layers before the potato was brought to Europe, are often used in side dishes. These are, for example, turnips, rutabaga, or fava beans (Dicke Bohnen meaning fat beans in German), which are often served with pork belly. But potato dishes are also held in high esteem. Potato yeast pancakes called Pickert are one of the most popular. You can also see and try some local food at the culinary festival (Hamm kulinarisch), which is traditionally held in the city near St. Paul's Church (Pauluskirche) in August. On these days the best restaurants in Hamm invite all those wishing to participate in Fight Tasters of dishes from their menu.  

Hamm takes a lot of efforts for the development of culture. Each year, popular open air music festivals - Hammer Summer and Klassik-Sommer are held. The international jazz festival is held biennially. In fall, Hamm becomes the venue for the literary festival called Literarischer Herbst, which is attended by both eminent and budding authors. The largest exhibition and sale of reptiles called Hamm Terraristika is held three times a year.

Active and contemplative recreation opportunities are wonderfully combined in Hamm. Being the second largest inland port in North Rhine-Westphalia, Hamm attracts lovers of water tourism. Cyclists will also enjoy the city - special routes with a total length of 170km are laid for them. The small and cozy Oberwerris Castle on the bank of the Lippe River is perfect for those who want a break from the vibrant city life.