The Pader springs (Paderquellen) are the defining geographical feature of Paderborn, and the reason the city exists at all. Over 200 separate springs emerge from the limestone ground in and around the Stadtpark, creating instant streams that join into the Pader river almost immediately. The water flows year-round at a constant temperature of about 9°C.
The largest spring source is in the park beside the city centre, where you can watch the water genuinely bubble up from the ground — a slightly surreal experience in an urban setting. The streams then wind through the old town, flowing under bridges and past the cathedral before exiting the city entirely within a few kilometres. Local children have used the springs as paddling spots for generations.