Porta Westfalica - From hiking boots, the Willem, and the Wittekindsburg

You start your hike at the Schiffmühle in Minden. It is a fully functional replica based on plans from the 19th century. When you hear the creaking of the water wheel and the splashing of the water, turn your gaze south, towards Porta Westfalica. There you will see your destination for today: the Wiehengebirge with the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial.
You hike along the Weser for about 6 kilometers to the memorial. Due to its elevated position on the Wittekindsberg above the breakthrough of the Weser through the mountains, the "Gate to Westphalia," the Willem can already be seen from the highway. The monument, designed by the renowned architect Bruno Schmitz, was built by the former Prussian province of Westphalia at the end of the 19th century. From its ring terraces, you have an impressive view of the beginning North German Plain. Since summer 2018, you can learn more about the memorial at the information center. There is also a restaurant located at the memorial.
Your path leads you westward. After about a kilometer, you reach the Moltke Tower, from which you have an excellent view of the surrounding mountains. The tower, formerly made of Portasandstein, served as a signal point for land surveying. After a short walk, you finally reach the Wittekindsburg, a hill castle that served as a refuge with walls and ramparts. The area is about 660 meters long and 100 meters wide. Today, in this area, you will find the excursion restaurant "Wittekindsburg," built at the end of the 19th century. A little south, the hang gliders start their flights over the Wiehengebirge. Presumably, the construction of the Wittekindsburg was due to the drying up of the Wittekindsquelle. Around 1900, it received a temple-like, semicircular stone enclosure with a stone relief depicting the legend of the "source miracle." Unfortunately, this was later stolen. According to legend, in the 8th century, the pagan Saxons fought against the conquest and Christianization of the Frankish king Charlemagne. At this point, Duke Widukind of Saxony converted to Christianity after his horse uncovered a spring through pawing. In his castle, he then declared with the words "This castle shall now be 'min und din' (mine and yours)", leading to a peace agreement. In response, Charlemagne said, "So let it also be named Min-din," and according to legend, this is how the city of Minden got its name. On the castle grounds, you will also find the Margarethenkapelle, which was first mentioned in documents in the 13th century. On the occasion of its restoration in 1842, a lime tree was planted in the presence of King Frederick William IV and his wife, which can still be admired today as the "Königslinde."
A little further, you will find the Kreuzkirche, a church building uncovered in the 1990s dating back to the 10th century. The name comes from the fact that the foundations were built in the shape of a Greek cross. The ruin, now protected by a glass structure, is a real rarity: only four comparable buildings from that time are known.
The way back to Minden after this extensive hike fortunately leads downhill via the Burgweg and Kapellenweg towards Barkhausen. Walking along the mountain, you descend the Philosophenweg and reach the town center of Aulhausen. Via the small road Weserufer, you return to the Weserradweg, which leads you back to the city for the last kilometers.