Bontkirchen: Discover Churches and History

Church History in Bontkirchen

Bontkirchen’s church history spans a long period: The parish church of St. Vitus was built in 1895/1896 and was first mentioned as early as 1276. During the Middle Ages, the parish church of St. Vitus had ecclesiastical ties to Corvey or Stadtberge, as well as to Heringhausen, Thülen and Bredelar Monastery. The construction date and first mention mark different historical points in time.

The Chapel of St. Mary at Hagen adds a more recent chapter. It was founded in 1947 and consecrated in 1948; in 1950, it received stained-glass windows by Brilon artist Franz Kornemann. In 1955, the chapel was the destination of a pilgrimage by almost 400 young people. Within just a few years, its construction history, artistic features and a specific pilgrimage event took place side by side—unlike St. Vitus, whose first mention dates back to the Middle Ages.

Brilon in the wider travel destination

In the wider travel destination of Brilon, the Old Town preserves well-maintained architecture from earlier centuries, including a half-timbered ensemble on the market square. The imposing west tower of the Provost Church of St. Peter and St. Andrew is considered a landmark of Brilon. Built around 1250, the Town Hall has a Baroque façade and is considered one of the oldest town halls in Germany.

The Haus Hövener City Museum is located right on the market square in the center of Brilon and has largely been preserved in its 1910 condition. Original Iguanodon bones are on display there; they were discovered in 1978 at a quarry near Brilon-Nehden. An interactive city model offers insights into life in Brilon in past centuries. Themed city tours can be booked through the museum; check availability before your trip.

The Brilon Schnadezug also offers a glimpse into local tradition-keeping: it has been documented as a boundary walk since 1388, and its tradition dates back more than 620 years. It is one of Westphalia’s largest and most distinctive folk festivals and a central expression of Brilon’s customs and traditions.

The routes in the Brilon travel destination vary in length and theme. The family-friendly DinoSpuren circular trail in Brilon-Nehden focuses on dinosaur tracks, is about 800 metres long and has no strenuous climbs. The Brilon Landscape Therapy Trail is 2.54 kilometres long and includes the Feenklang sound installation, which alludes to Brilon’s forest fairy. Geology takes centre stage on the approximately 8-kilometre Geologischer Sprung Brilon themed trail: it leads to geological transitions and panoramic views; highlights include a viewing platform on the 634-metre-high Bilstein spoil heap. The certified Rothaarsteig and the certified Briloner Kammweg also start at Brilon Market Square. The Rothaarsteig section from Brilon to Bruchhausen is 17.02 kilometres long and passes through Olsberg. The Geologischer Sprung in Brilon brings two distinct geological features from the Devonian period to life: the limestone hills of the Brilon Plateau and the diabase deposits of Bilstein.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Brilon-Wald, Gudenhagen, Hoppecke, Alme, Madfeld, Radlinghausen, Nehden.

Back to the overview of the wider travel destination: Brilon.