Hermann der Cherusker

18/8/2020 – Bad Salzuflen – Arminius or Herman der Cherusker, does that ring a bell? Varus, the Roman general, surely knew him. In 9 A.D. in Kalkriese, an open space in the Teutoburger Wald, he was crushed by him and lost three legions. Arminius, a Cheruscan who was taken to Rome as a child, received military training and became a Roman citizen, returned to Germania and successfully opposed the Romans. Varus commits suicide. Hero of the region and also still a bit in the whole of Germany. We check in at Hotel Arminius (!) and prepare the bicycles to ride to the Hermanndenkmal. It’s flat from Bad Salzuflen to Lage and Hiddesen, where there is a 400 m high hump in the landscape. On it is a giant statue of Arminius. A tough climb with beautiful serpentines. I sweat, Karin sweats, Frank sweats. The reward is great, above us stands Hermann, the sword in the air, around us the vast landscape. Then downhill for the return trip. We shower and look for food, in times of corona, Germany locks down early. Zum Salzsieder is a half-timbered house on a river, Bad Salzuflen is known for salt and also a famous Luftkurort. Vaporized salt in water is said to be good for the lungs. It will be a mix-and-match menu on the terrace with Flädlesuppe, Kalbsgulasch, Wiener Schnitzel and Bandnudel, all washed down with a Conde Bel Rioja.

Victorious Hermann 

Tourists on bikes

Frank poses with Hermann


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