The worldwide unique green sandstone ensemble "Altstadt Soest" makes the centuries come alive. Soest breathes history, draws from a rich past that goes back to the recent Stone Age. The fact that the "secret capital of Westphalia" was one of the most important cities in Westphalia at the time of the Hanseatic League can be seen in a number of famous churches and other imposing buildings. Even today, you can walk around the city on the medieval Wallmauer, two thirds of which have been preserved, and take a look at the green inner city gardens. A total of around 600 buildings are listed in the old town area alone. Visits to the Osthofentor and Burghof museums, the Green Sandstone Museum or the Wilhelm Morgner House Art Museum provide additional explanations of the city's history from different perspectives.