natural wonder
Externsteine
Five dramatic sandstone pillars rise from the Teutoburg Forest, carved with medieval reliefs and steeped in pagan legend.
40 km · about 45 min drive
EuropeGermanyNorth Rhine-Westphalia
Porta Westfalica
North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany · Europe
About Porta Westfalica
Porta Westfalica sits on the route: 10 minutes from Minden, 40km from Externsteine.
Porta Westfalica is in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with about 36,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Minden, about 7 km away.
Porta Westfalica (German: [ˈpɔʁta vɛstˈfaːlɪka] ) is a town in the district of Minden-Lübbecke, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
The name "Porta Westfalica" is Latin and means "gate to Westphalia". Coming from the north, the gorge is the entry to the region of Westphalia. The name was coined by scholars of the 19thRead more
century.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Porta Westfalica?
Within an hour or so of Porta Westfalica: Externsteine (40 km), Bilster Berg (50 km), Herrenhausen Gardens (56 km).
Where is Porta Westfalica?
Porta Westfalica is in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, about 7 km from Minden.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 36,364
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Germany
- Region
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- Timezone
- Europe/Berlin
- Coordinates
- 52.2296, 8.9161
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Germany
ADAC roadside assistance: +49 89 22 22 22. No general speed limit on some autobahn sections but advisory 130 km/h.
Full driving guide for GermanyTags
Worth the detour from Porta Westfalica
3 notable places within an hour's drive.
racetrack
Bilster Berg
A private 4.2km circuit built in a former British Army ammunition depot in the Teutoburg Forest, with 70m of elevation change, blind crests and a Mausefalle-style plunge. Access is by track day or driving experience only.
50 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Herrenhausen Gardens
Hanover's grand baroque garden, one of Europe's finest, with geometric parterres, fountains and a glowing grotto.
56 km · about 65 min drive
Driving in Germany
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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