Located in North Rhine-Westphalia, this medieval town has Germany's largest stalactite cave, the Atta Cave, and a 14th-century church with rare Gothic frescoes.
Attendorn, a town in North Rhine-Westphalia's Olpe district, sits among limestone caves and clear reservoir waters. You can explore the underground passages of Atta Cave, swim at Bigge Reservoir's beaches, or climb the 13th-century Pulverturm defense tower. The town's Gothic church and medieval Easter ceremonies draw visitors throughout the year.
Exploring the Atta Cave System
The Atta Cave, discovered in 1907 during limestone mining operations, stretches across one of Germany's largest cave networks. You'll walk through passages lined with stalactites and stalagmites as guides explain the cave's geological history. The cave stays at 9°C (48°F) year-round. Tours run every 30 minutes during summer (June-August) and hourly in other seasons. A tour takes about 40 minutes and includes 200 steps.
Recreation at Bigge Reservoir
Three connected water bodies - Bigge Reservoir, Listertalsperre, and Ahauser Stausee - create a water recreation zone in the region. You can rent kayaks and sailboats at the main dock, fish with a local permit, or walk the 12-kilometer shoreline trail network. The beaches have designated swimming areas with lifeguards in summer, and you'll find wooden picnic tables every few hundred meters along the shore. Local sailing clubs run weekly races from May through September.
Medieval Architecture and Town Defense
The Sauerländer Dom church combines a Romanesque tower built in 1200 with a 14th-century Gothic nave. The stone town hall stands nearby, with distinctive crow-stepped gables typical of medieval German construction. Two defense towers from the 1200s remain standing: the Pulverturm and Bieketurm. The Bieketurm now stores equipment for the local shooting club, which dates back to 1222 and still practices at the adjacent range.
Easter Traditions
Each Easter weekend, Attendorn residents carry out centuries-old rituals. During Semmelsegnen on Easter Saturday, local churches bless traditional bread rolls. Community members then cut and raise wooden crosses throughout town. The celebrations end with a Sunday evening burning ceremony where participants light ceremonial fires. These events typically draw 200-300 participants and spectators from nearby towns.
Industrial Present
Metal manufacturing companies in Attendorn produce specialized components for cars and machinery. The town's factories employ about 3,000 workers who make precision parts using computer-controlled machines. This connection to metalworking began in medieval times when Attendorn joined the Hanseatic League's metal trade routes. Today, you can see some of the original forges preserved in the town museum.
