Rietberg: Half-timbered houses, gardens and paths by the water

Rietberg combines a city history shaped by its role as a county residence and state capital with half-timbered houses, garden design and experiences by the water. Restored buildings, a white chapel, art in the park and several circular trails offer a range of ways to enjoy your stay. You can tailor your days to your preferred balance of culture, walks and water sports.

Half-timbered houses and the history of the counts

The Historic Town Centre reflects Rietberg’s past as a county residence and state capital; lovingly restored half-timbered buildings give this character a visible form. A striking landmark is the gleaming white St. John’s Chapel, Rietberg’s most important historic monument. It was consecrated in 1748 in honour of Saint John of Nepomuk and built by Countess Maria Ernestine Franziska von Kaunitz-Rietberg. Its dedication and origins connect a specific building with the city’s history under the counts.

Circular trails between the town centre and nature

If you enjoy walking, the “Grafenschritte” offer a circular urban hiking trail of about six kilometres. Following in the footsteps of the counts, it runs along the Ems through the listed Historic Town Centre and past a variety of natural areas. Along the route are the Rietberg Fish Ponds nature reserve, the Gartenschaupark, the monastery garden and the ramparts around the Historic Town Centre. The trail thus combines the city’s history and landscape in one loop.

The Rietberg Fish Ponds themselves are privately owned and not open to the public. You can get a view of the area from an observation platform on the hiking trail along the Ems, at the edge of the nature reserve.

The Mastholter See local recreation area offers a different mix of activities: it invites visitors to surf, sail and water-ski. There is also a 2.7-kilometre circular trail, suitable for walks, cycling, jogging and Nordic walking. Compared with the approximately six-kilometre “Grafenschritte,” this loop is shorter, while also accommodating several types of activity. You can choose between the longer route through the town centre and natural areas and the lakeside loop based on the distance and activity you prefer. For water sports, it is advisable to check the operators’ current arrangements before your visit.

Garden design and works by Wilfried Koch

Rietberg’s gardens also offer contrasting highlights. Created in 2008, the Drostengarten is a geometrically designed garden; flower beds, hedges, paths and sightlines define its layout. It was modelled on historic accounts of Rietberg’s aristocratic gardens from the 18th century. The former monastery garden, a public park, features bronze sculptures by local artist Wilfried Koch, which are accessible to everyone. Here, artworks are set among public green spaces, while the Drostengarten makes an impression through its forms and sightlines.

The temporarily closed Wilfried Koch Museum houses the paintings and drawings of local artist Dr. Wilfried Koch. His work can therefore be encountered both in the public monastery garden and in a museum collection—at venues with different visiting arrangements.

Guided tours and culinary experience tours

Groups can book guided tours of the Historic Town Centre and the Rietberg Gartenschaupark almost any time. Arrange a specific date with the Tourist Information Office. Another way to discover Rietberg is on its culinary experience tours: they combine entertainment, anecdotes and fascinating facts with a treat for the palate, and are offered on various dates throughout the year. As dates may vary, check the specific offering in advance.

Choose accommodation to suit your plans for the day

When looking for accommodation in Rietberg, it helps to decide what you want in advance: should your stay focus mainly on the city’s history and garden design, or would you also like to include circular trails, activities at Mastholter See and water sports? The approximately six-kilometre “Grafenschritte” and the 2.7-kilometre loop at Mastholter See offer different distances and experiences. If you would like to include a guided tour or culinary experience tour, factor its booking requirements or specific dates into your plans.

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