he first written record of Luegde appears in 784, in the annals of the Frankish empire, when Charlemagne visited Luegde. [See the Early History page for details]
Charlemagne celebrated his first Christmas in Saxony at the Villa Luihidi in Luegde, and the site then became the location of the first church to be built in Saxony. The church was rebuilt in the 12th Century and became known as the Kilianskirche which is still standing today.
Rights of township were bestowed upon Luegde in 1246, and the town fell under the jurisdiction of the Count of Pyrmont until 1668. Luegde then became part of the diocese of Paderborn. [See the Modern History page for examples of the interdiction of the Bishop of Paderborn into the affairs of Luegde]
Over the centuries several fires destroyed various parts of the town, the last big fire being in 1797. Only a few of the original buildings and the church survived this last catastrophe, and it is the reconstruction of the town after 1797 with its characteristic half-timbered houses that gives much of the character to the town as it stands today.
However, the town walls with its ramparts and towers still reflect the original town plan, and is a rare and valuable extant example of medieval urban design.
Through a combination of both private initiatives and public financing the historical image of Luegde has been lovingly preserved, with an impressive array of carefully restored houses for the visitor to admire. A walk around the town should include a visit to the heritage museum to see the permanent exhibition about the town's history, and the life and times of Medieval Luegde.
A harmonious interaction of town, landscape and people, Luegde offers opportunities to relax, rejuvenate, and appreciate the joys of unspoiled nature: the picturesque Emmer Valley, wet grasslands, forests, and a rich variety of plant and animal life.
Photographs and paraphrased text taken from the Luegde tourist brochure
