Hamelin

Hamelin, a town on the river Weser in Lower Saxony, is best known as the setting of the Pied Piper legend — the medieval tale of a piper who rid the town of rats, then led its children away when the townspeople refused to pay. The story is said to trace back to events of 1284. The walkable centre sits directly on the water, holds a concentration of historic churches, and draws a lively food-and-drink scene, with scenic countryside close by.

• Population58,666
• Nearest water0.2 km
• Nearest mountain2.9 km
• UNESCO within 50 km4