![]() The bishopric of Minden embraced an area of about 400 sq. to the south of Minden is the so-called "Porta Westfalica," a narrow defile by which the Weser quits the mountains. In 1816 the fortifications, which had been razed by Frederick the Great after the Seven Years' War, were restored and strengthened, and as a fortress of the second rank it remained the chief military place of Westphalia down to 1873, when the works were finally demolished. From 1807 to 1814 Minden was included in the kingdom of Westphalia, and in the latter year it passed to Prussia. In 1648 the bishopric was converted into a secular principality under the elector of Brandenburg. Punished by military occupation and a fine for its reception of the Reformation, Minden underwent similar trials in the Thirty Years' War. In the 13th century it was surrounded with walls. Minden (Mindun, Mindo), apparently a trading place of some importance in the time of Charlemagne, was made the seat of a bishop by that monarch, and subsequently became a flourishing member of the Hanseatic League. There is also some activity in the building of small craft. Its industries include linen and cotton weaving, dyeing, calico printing, brewing, ship-building and the manufacture of tobacco, glass, soap, chocolate, leather, lamps, chicory and chemicals. Minden contains a gymnasium and several hospitals, besides other charitable institutions. The town has a statue of Frederick William I., the great elector of Brandenburg. Among the chief edifices are the old church of St Martin the town hall, with a Gothic facade the law courts and the government offices, constructed, like many of the other buildings, of a peculiar veined brown sandstone found in the district. The nave was erected at the end of the 13th century, and the choir in 1377-1379. The cathedral tower dating from the 11th century, illustrates the first step in the growth of the Gothic spire in Germany. The older parts of the town retain their narrow and crooked streets. of Hanover, on the left bank of the Weser, which is spanned by two bridges. MINDEN, a town of Germany, in the Prussian province of Westphalia, 44 m. ![]()
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