Discover Bersenbrück

In Bersenbrück, the history of the monastery comes to life in its buildings and museum. The monastery gate, St. Vincentius Church and Museum in the Monastery each have their own distinct character. Children can enjoy a special way to explore the exhibition with the Discovery Tour featuring Sophia the Owl.

Monastery History and Architecture

Count Otto of Ravensberg and his wife Sophia founded Bersenbrück Monastery in 1231. The monastery gate, built in 1700 by Abbess Nyvenheim, is the town’s landmark and the former gatehouse of the Cistercian convent. Above its arch is a Baroque coat of arms belonging to the Nyvenheim-Boetzelaer family, considered the only surviving coat of arms from the monastery era.

St. Vincentius Church also tells the story of an earlier era: it was built in the 12th century in the so-called transitional style between Romanesque and Gothic. The architectural term refers to the transition between these two styles. Those interested in architectural history will find a range of examples in Bersenbrück, from the former monastery gatehouse to the medieval church.

The Museum in the Monastery

The Museum in the Monastery is in the centre of Bersenbrück, behind the monastery gate on the market square and close to St. Vincentius Church. Following extensive renovation, its permanent exhibition was redesigned and curated to meet the standards of a modern, accessible museum.

Through the history of how the museum building has been used, the permanent exhibition explores three eras: the monastery from the 13th to the 18th century, the district and county administration in the 19th century, and the museum in the 20th century. Visitors also meet three museum companions through images and sound. They lived and worked in the building and bring past eras to life. The museum visit thus centres on the history of the site and the building’s changing uses.

A Discovery Tour for Children

Children can explore the museum independently on the Discovery Tour with Sophia the Owl. A children’s booklet and activities help them build on what they learn. These include exercises in Low German and embroidery, a drawing of Abbess von Moltke, and a Polaroid photograph of their favourite exhibit. The activities give children a range of ways to engage with the museum and its contents.

More Places to Visit in the Wider Osnabrück Destination

The wider Osnabrück destination includes other individual places to visit, each with a different focus. At the Tuchmacher Museum Bramsche, fluffy woollen blankets are made on working machines that are over 100 years old. At the Kalkriese Museum and Park, exhibits relating to the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest are presented using multimedia and are open to visitors. Both places offer their own perspectives on crafts and history.

At the Bad Essen-Barkhausen dinosaur tracks, fossilised footprints can be seen on a steep rock face. The visitor area includes two dinosaur replicas, detailed information panels and a circular trail; the signposted Dinosaur Trail is a 16-kilometre circular route. For a different perspective on nature, the Bad Iburg treetop walk offers a woodland experience along a route almost 600 metres long. The associated exhibition pavilion offers insights into the geological history of the Teutoburg Forest and is part of the UNESCO Global Geopark TERRA.vita. The accessible entrance tower is over 30 metres high and offers panoramic views of Iburg Castle and the Teutoburg Forest.

Choose your location based on the places that matter to your itinerary.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Atter, Rieste, Bramsche, Bohmte, Bad Essen, Glandorf, Bad Laer, Bissendorf

Back to the wider travel overview: Osnabrück.