A new city experience
Osnabruck
Derby and Osnabrück in Germany have been twinned cities since 1976. Working with public and private sector partners, envoys from both cities focus on creating business links and attracting visitors to either city.
Situated in north-west of Germany, Osnabrück is steeped in history, surrounded by beautiful countryside, home to some of the best German festivals, as well as being a city of peace.
Osnabrück History
The long, rich history of Osnabrück is apparent on every corner, with the remains of the old city wall and its watchtowers, the castle dating from the 17th century and the town hall where the Peace of Westphalia was declared in 1648.
The historical old quarter of the city is full of narrow winding alleys and old half-timbered houses that continue to lend it's medieval charm right up to the present day.
Nature Lovers
Osnabrück is surrounded by green areas. The city lies in the middle of a large nature park: the Nature Reserve of the Northern Teutoburg Forest, Wiehengebirge Hills and Osnabrück Region - Terra.vita for short.
It covers an area of 1,200 sq. km, making it Germany's biggest nature reserve. In 2004, the Terra.vita nature reserve was awarded UNESCO Geopark status on account of its extraordinary role as a geological heritage site - making Osnabrück fantastic for exploring on foot, bicycle or even on horseback.
Festivals & Markets
The biannual "Jahrmarkt" fair in spring is followed by May Week, one of northern Germany's biggest music events, which includes live bands playing on more than ten open-air stages. The culinary event "Eat Well in Osnabrück" is a great event for all food lovers. The participation of restaurants and cafés in the city centre adds to the experience.
The year is ended on a high with the historical Christmas Market which attracts over one million visitors every year and is seen as one of the best in Germany.
Peace Culture
Every two years, the city awards the Erich-Maria Remarque Peace Prize. The famous writer of "All Quiet on the Western Front", after whom the prize is named, was also born in Osnabrück. His personal and literary legacy forms one of the pillars on which the peace culture of the city.
Osnabrück is also hoem to the museum of internationally renowned painter Felix Nussbaum who was born in Osnabrück in 1904. Re-constructed by architect Daniel Libeskind, the museum is equally unsual from the inside as it is from the outside!
More Information
If you have an interest in getting in contact with businesses and organisations from Osnabrück in order to set up economic links, get in contact with our Osnabrück Envoy.
If you would like assistance in organising school trips to Osnabrück, or even a leisure visit for yourself, contact our Osnabrück Envoy for help with planning your trip.
