Schmieding House

The "Schmieding House" looks older than it actually is. It was not until 1909 that the merchant Hermann Schmieding built this house with its picturesque half-timbered façade for his wife.

It is a typical example of the historicising architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Architectural styles from past eras are reflected here.
In this case, it is the Nordic Renaissance, which is referenced by the half-timbered structure, the projecting bay window and the very steep roof. The rich plant ornaments also hark back to the Renaissance, but at the same time show clear Art Nouveau influences.
A frieze above the ground floor shows images from Minden's history in the form of silhouettes:

• Widukind's baptism at Minden in 785
• The marriage of Henry the Lion to the English king's daughter Matilda in Minden Cathedral in 1168
• The visit of Emperor Charles IV to Minden in 1377
• . 1377
•  the Reformation in 1529
•  the siege of the city by the Swedes in 1633
•  the visit of the Great Elector in 1673
•  a "Prussian" ball scene from 1780
•  the French period in 1806
•  the opening of the Cologne-Minden railway in 1847

and the "modern" era with cars, bicycles and zeppelins in 1909.
The design of the house façade is modelled on the Knochenhaueramtshaus in Hildesheim.
One of Minden's very special assets is the well-known founding legend of Karl and Widukind, which is said to have given the city the name "Minden": In the 8th century, the pagan Saxons fought against the conquest and Christianisation of Charlemagne, King of the Franks. On the Wiehengebirge, Saxon Duke Widukind converted to Christianity on the occasion of a miracle at a spring. Peace was concluded in his castle on the banks of the Weser. "This castle shall now be 'min und din' (mine and yours)," offered Widukind, to which Charlemagne replied: "So let it also bear the name Min-din." This is how the name "Minden" came about.
The puppet show "min+din" at Haus Schmieding regularly recalls this legend at 9.30 am, 12.30 pm, 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm.