Siegen

Understand

It lies in the southernmost part of Westphalia in the triangular between the three states of North Rhine-Westfalia, Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate.

Get around

The Rothaar Railway (Rothaarbahn) connects to Bad Berleburg, running through the scenic mountainous area. In the south of the district in the community of Burbach lies Siegerland Airport, which offers scenic flights, although no scheduled connections.

See

thumb|Oberes Schloss thumb|Museum of Contemporary Art Siegen is Peter Paul Rubens' birthplace. Oberes Schloss houses some of his paintings. The Schloss has a fine exhibit of Siegen's mining heritage with an under tunnel. Also worth seeing are Siegen's Old Town and several museums in the city core.

Do

Visit the seven hills surrounding Siegen, which locals humorously compare to Rome's:

Häusling Rosterberg Giersberg Wellersberg Siegberg Fischbacherberg Heidenberg

There are a lot of forrests around Siegen that invite for outdoor activies like hiking or cycling.

Buy

The best known export from Siegen is beer.

Eat

thumb|Riewekooche Siegen has some special dishes, which are more or less unique.

Riewekooche (bread made from grated potatoes, distinct from Reibekuchen—potato pancakes—of other German regions) Siegerländer Krüstchen (breaded boneless pork chop on toast and egg sunny side up on top) Schanzenbrot (sourdough rye bread) Krebelcher or Krebbelchen (a kind of doughnut made with curd cheese) Groffbroat (dark rye bread specialty) Siegerländer Debbekooche (a savoury pie made of grated potatoes, onions, eggs, bacon, sausages and baloney; which poor people used to eat on holidays instead of roast meat) Siegerländer Bäckel Duffelnsobbe (potato soup) Grenge (cracknel) Grinnchesbroare (roast rabbit) Kiernmelchsoabbe (buttermilk soup) Suerambe (sorrel) Siegerländer Hirtentopf ("shepherd's stew", a kind of goulash with beans, bell peppers and tomatoes) Aejjerkaes (egg curd; served with bread or yeast cake) Schampe (beef paunch in sauce)

Drink

Siegerland is famous for its clean water; making it a region were several successful breweries operate, including Krombacher (one of Germany's best-selling beer brands). Who thinks that this mass product is too "mainstream", can try one of several beer specialties made at the local, family-owned Irle-Brauerei established in 1693. The most locals prefer the Erzquell Pils, that is brewed in the bordering town of Niederschelden and is absolutly worth a try.

Go next

Westerwald, low mountain range south of Siegen, spanning across the tri-state-area of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westfalia Herborn, in neighbouring Hesse, 40 km to the southeast (half an hour by car) Gummersbach, 50 km to the west (40 minutes car-drive) Winterberg, popular skiing resort, 70 km northeast of Siegen (nearly one and a half hours car drive)