Half-timbered Houses of Freudenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

© Thorsten Frisch/Shutterstoc

Half-timbered Houses of Freudenberg, Germany

Freudenberg is a charming little town nestled in the Siegen-Wittgenstein district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The town lies in the beautiful hilly uplands, ranging from 243 to 505 metres above sea level. The town is made up of 17 communities spread across about 55 square kilometres, two-thirds of which is lush forest, mainly broadleaf and spruce trees. The heart of Freudenberg is the 'Alter Flecken,' the historic old town centre, entirely made up of half-timbered houses that give it the feel of a 17th-century town.

So picturesque, in fact, that it's been included in the Cultural Atlas of North Rhine-Westphalia as a 'Building monument of international importance.' The town's Evangelical church was designed as a 'fortress church,' with its architecture reminiscent of military fortifications. The church in Oberholzklau, which dates back to the early 13th century, is a stunning example of Romanesque architecture with noticeable transitions to Gothic style. Right next door, you'll find the rectory, built in 1608 in the traditional half-timbered style.