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Germany
North Rhine-Westphalia

Münster District

Kreis Borken
Heek

The Wild Bernd Statue

Highlight • Monument

The Wild Bernd Statue

Recommended by 22 hikers

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    Best Hikes to The Wild Bernd Statue

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    1. Nienborg Castle Gate – View of Nienborg loop from Nienborg

    7.92km

    02:00

    20m

    20m

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Intermediate

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Intermediate

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Easy

    Tips

    June 30, 2022

    Bernd, a citizen of Nienborg, was known as a poacher in his day. In the Thirty Years' War, around 1633, he noticed enemy troops on one of his raids. He warned the castle crew. Nienborg thus remained unharmed and free. His courage made him a "hero". The castle men thanked him for his attention and granted him three wishes. Bernd then requested:
    "Free fishing, free hunting and free shooting in a grave."
    These privileges of the castle men were granted to him. He looks at us attentively, proudly and skeptically.
    The artist Michael Franke from Erkelenz created the life-size bronze figure as a contribution by the local history association to the 800th anniversary of the town in 1998.


    "The better part of bravery is caution,"

    Bernd was also guided by this thought when he warned the castle crew of an attack. The villagers sought protection in the castle, the able-bodied men made preparations for defense and Bernd watched the terrible goings-on outside the castle. When the attackers' success seemed inevitable, he killed their leader with a well-aimed shot, driving them to flee. Nienborg remained unharmed and free.
    His courage made him the "hero of Nienborg". The castle men, the "Kapeleren" thanked him and granted him three wishes. Bernd asked for the privileges of the Burgmannen:


    "Free fishing, free hunting and free shooting in a grave.

    The castle men reserved the right to discharge their faeces into the moat; the citizens were forbidden. Perhaps that is why the third wish caused general amusement. According to Bernd, however, all three wishes were fulfilled.
    Source: heimatverein-nienborg.de/nienborg-hat-was/der-wilde-bernd

    Translated by Google •

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      Elevation 50 m

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      Saturday 25 October

      11°C

      6°C

      70 %

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      Max wind speed: 27.0 km/h

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      Location: Heek, Kreis Borken, Münster District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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