Baron Münchhausen in Bodenwerder | German Fairy Tale Route

Who hasn’t heard of Baron Münchhausen? His incredible adventures have become part of world literature, but behind the tall tales was a real person: Hieronymus Carl Friedrich Freiherr von Münchhausen, born in Bodenwerder on the Weser in 1720.

His life was almost as adventurous as the stories later told about him. As a young nobleman, he trained in Bevern before entering the service of the court in Wolfenbüttel. At the age of 17, he travelled to Russia and later took part in the Russo-Turkish wars, eventually rising to the rank of cavalry captain.

In 1750, Münchhausen returned to his home town of Bodenwerder, where he became famous for his extraordinary gift for storytelling.

The World of Münchhausen

Münchhausen’s stories were anything but ordinary. He told of impossible adventures and outrageous feats – riding a cannonball through the air, pulling himself and his horse out of a swamp by his own hair, travelling to the moon on a beanstalk or catching ducks that carried him through the air.

The humour lies precisely in the impossibility of it all: the laws of physics and nature are pushed to absurd extremes.

During his lifetime, his stories were recorded and published without his knowledge by the writers Rudolf Erich Raspe and Gottfried August Bürger. Their books made Münchhausen famous far beyond Germany. The Baron himself, however, was far from pleased. He disliked being portrayed as a liar and increasingly withdrew from public life.

Today, his fantastical adventures have been translated into around 60 languages and are enjoyed around the world.

Discover Münchhausen in Bodenwerder

The best place to follow in the Baron’s footsteps is Bodenwerder, his birthplace on the Weser. Here, the Münchhausen Museum tells the story of the historical figure and the legendary character he became.

In the town centre, you can also find the Münchhausen Fountain and experience the Baron’s adventures brought to life in theatrical performances.

Come to Bodenwerder and discover the man behind the tall tales – where history, humour and impossible adventures meet.

learn more in the Münchhausen Museum

“You just have to think on your feet!”

Baron Münchhausen

The Horse on the Church Tower
One winter night, Münchhausen ties his horse to what he thinks is a post. In fact, it is the weather vane atop a church tower. When the snow melts, the horse is left dangling from the tower. Münchhausen simply shoots through the halter strap with his pistol, allowing the horse to drop safely to the ground so they can continue their journey.
The Flying Ducks
Münchhausen catches ducks by tying pieces of bacon to a string. But when the ducks take flight, they carry him through the air with them.
The Eight-Legged Hare
Münchhausen goes hunting and encounters a very unusual hare – one with eight legs.
The Half Horse
Münchhausen’s horse is caught in a gate and split in two. Unaware of what has happened, the Baron rides the front half to the watering place, while the other half remains behind in the meadow, happily keeping company with the mares.
Riding a Cannonball
Münchhausen rides a cannonball over a besieged city to inspect the enemy’s positions. Then, in true Münchhausen fashion, he simply jumps onto a cannonball flying in the opposite direction.
Pulling Himself Out of the Swamp
When Münchhausen and his horse become stuck in a swamp, he pulls them both out by his own hair.
A Journey to the Moon
Münchhausen throws his silver axe so far that it lands on the moon. To retrieve it, he climbs up a giant beanstalk.
The Wolf-Powered Sled
While Münchhausen is travelling by horse-drawn sleigh, a wolf attacks his horse from behind and devours it. The wolf then ends up inside the harness and, much to Münchhausen’s surprise, takes over as the horse.