Soest is the oldest town in Westphalia. It was a large medieval town, a suburb of the Hanseatic League and mistress of its own territory on the Hellweg, the Soester B&oumlde. Soest is presented and explained with a series of maps, ranging from the town archaeology to the early modern transformations (Soest feud, Reformation) and the "Urkataster" of the early 19th century, edited for the first time. The history of the cadastre ranges from the early 19th century to the modern age (administrative and welfare buildings, war damage, preservation of historical monuments). The city atlas thus contrasts the "old city", which is characterised by its walls, with numerous new types of contrasts. On the basis of the latest research results, regional history is made tangible and local development is made comparable and presented through maps, written sources, views, photographs and other historical documents. A colour text booklet contains an up-to-date contribution on the historical-topographical development of the town from its beginnings to the present day, with many picture sources.