Not that far from Maximilian Park, aka Maxi Park, you're going to find the district that has been called Bad Hamm (Bad ethymologically related to bath) at the time, when saline springs still supplied hot water. Now those gone for a couple of years, there are still Kurhaus and Kurpark reminding  people of that spa past. (The word Kur is related to cure.)

This building , the Kurhaus, dates back from the glorious years of Bad Hamm, but the location has been in use for balls, meeting of clubs and societies, charities, and special events, ever since.

The surrounding Kurpark is real lovely, with small lakes, woods, flower beds. A lovely sight to see. In late July the Kurparkfest is attracting people in countless numbers. There's a couple of bands providing different types of music, from big-band sounds up to '50s and '60s oldies, adult contemporary, German folk music, and even hardrock. Quite a number of stands are offering beverages and snacks, from hot dogs and hamburgers up to bratwurst and schnitzels and sour-cream-filled baked-potato specials, as well as fried mushrooms.

The Kurparks covers a large wooded area with different types of trees and plants.   There are three ponds in the Kurpark, with wooden bridges crossing the narrow interconnections.

A nice sight not far from downtown, not far from City Hall and Supreme Court, the Bears' Fountain situated in a park marking the river Ahse's old bed. Builders had given the river a shortcut to the river Lippe about a hundred years ago.   This park known as East Ring and South Ring covers an area stretching from the Supreme Court to the big department stores and shopping malls downtown.

Back downtown, you should take a look at St. Paul's. The church had been catholic first, but became Lutheran in the course of the protestant reformation.

This is the western part of the Market Square with St. Paul's Cathedral in its center.

Hop in the car, and here we go - just cruising around town....  an older view from 2005