On the north side of the cathedral lies the area where Paderborn and European history was written a good 1200 years ago.
The settlement at the Pader springs gained importance during Charlemagne's Saxon Wars, which began in 772 and combined the expansion of the Frankish Empire and the spread of the Christian faith as a sword mission. Nine stays of the Frankish king in the Paderborn region are attested.
He built a Karlsburg castle here from 776, the fortifications of which surrounded the present-day cathedral area. Large numbers of Saxons were baptized in this Karlsburg. The first Frankish imperial diet was held there in 777 on newly conquered Saxon soil. The year is considered the year Paderborn was founded.
The museum in the imperial palace provides an insight into the history of Paderborn and Westphalia from the 6th to 12th centuries. One of the focal points here is Charlemagne's palace, which he had built in 777 above the Pader springs as the first and only one in Saxony. Wall paintings, glass and numerous other archaeological discoveries provide an impressive picture of the appearance of this complex and its historical significance.The reconstructed Ottonian-Salian palace with its chapels and unique spring cellar bears witness to Paderborn's heyday in the early 11th century.Good to know
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Directions & Parking facilities
Take the A 33 freeway to the Pad.-Zentrum or Pad.-Schloß Neuhaus exit; then head towards Paderborn city center. Stay on the inner ring road (Innenstadtring) in the direction of PaderHalle or Maspernplatz (if necessary, follow the parking guidance system). Turn into Maspernplatz via Hathumarstraße.
Parking:
Parking for cars is available at Maspernplatz on the edge of Paderborn city center (destination address for the navigation system: Heiersmauer 45, 33098 Paderborn). There are usually plenty of parking spaces there. Tip: Buy a reasonably priced day ticket!
An alternative is the Neuhäuser Tor parking garage, which you will pass on the way to Maspernplatz as described above.
Information on other parking options in the city center and tariffs: www.asp-paderborn.de.
By public transportation:
Take the city bus lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 (PaderSprinter) to the "Rathausplatz" stop.
For more information on traveling by city bus, visit www.padersprinter.de or call 05251 6997222.
