The New International Encyclopædia/Minden (Westphalia)

MIN′DEN. An ancient town in the Province of Westphalia, Prussia, situated on the left bank of the navigable Weser, 39 miles by rail west-southwest of Hanover (Map: Prussia, C 2). It is an old-fashioned town with modern suburbs laid out on the site of the fortifications demolished in 1873. Its public buildings include the thirteenth century cathedral, a fine early Gothic structure with valuable works of art in its treasury; the town hall; the government buildings; and the gymnasium, having an aula decorated with fine paintings. Minden manufactures cigars, glassware, chemicals, chicory, iron products, etc. The trade is quite active. Minden is supposed to be of Roman origin. Charlemagne made it the seat of a bishopric, which was converted into a secular principality in 1648, and united with Brandenburg. Population, in 1890, 20,223; in 1900, 24,327, chiefly Protestants.