Soest

Soest was a major Hanseatic town whose law was adopted by cities as far away as Lübeck, and it is built almost entirely from a local greenish sandstone called Grünsandstein, quarried nearby, which gives the churches, walls and houses a distinctive olive tone found in few other places. St Patrokli's massive Romanesque west tower dominates the skyline, and St Maria zur Wiese has a modern window showing the Last Supper with a local menu of ham, beer and rye bread. The town keeps a long stretch of earth ramparts and moat. The Allerheiligenkirmes each November is one of the largest town fairs in Europe.

What you actually see

• The green sandstone - churches and walls in an olive-toned local stone.
• St Patrokli - a heavy Romanesque west tower over the old town.
• The Westphalian Last Supper - a window showing local food on the table.
• The earth ramparts - a long stretch of wall and moat around the town.

When to go

April to October; the Allerheiligenkirmes fills the town in early November and is one of Europe's biggest inner-city fairs. Churches close for services.

Honest expectations

The fair week takes over the whole centre. Churches have restricted hours. The town is compact and seen in a day.

Nearby

Dortmund lies west; Paderborn is east.