Gehrden: Monastery Church, Palace Park and Nature
Accommodation in Gehrden
Gehrden lies on the eastern slope of the Egge Hills and combines a distinctive ecclesiastical heritage with a green townscape and opportunities to enjoy nature and get active. The former Benedictine convent church of St. Peter and Paul was built around 1140 as a Romanesque pillar basilica. This gives the town concrete points of interest for a range of travel interests—from history and architecture to paths through the landscape.
Monastery Church and Religious Tradition
St. Peter and Paul is one of the art-historically significant churches in the Archdiocese of Paderborn and houses Westphalia’s largest historic peal of bells. The oldest of the nine bells has rung since the tower was built in the early 13th century. The rectory is open to visitors, who can view liturgical treasures and paintings spanning four centuries. The architecture, the history of the bells and the collection in the rectory each offer a distinct focus for exploring the ecclesiastical heritage.
Gehrden’s religious culture also includes the Good Friday procession, which remains significant beyond the region. It complements the architectural heritage with a living tradition. The palace park in Gehrden also preserves visible, listed remains of a former medieval monastery. The church, the Good Friday tradition and the monastery remains thus offer different ways to explore the town’s history.
Palace Park, Townscape and Landscape
The palace park is home to 1,000 historic roses. Another special feature is the Twelve Apostles Linden Tree, which has grown together from twelve individual trees. The Hudewald forest is another of Gehrden’s outdoor attractions. Half-timbered buildings shape the townscape; the town also has a holiday village, various educational trails, and tennis and minigolf facilities. Alongside the historic heritage, the park, nature and active leisure opportunities are therefore attractions in their own right.
Hiking Trails and Nature Topics
The accessible Gehrden hiking trail is 2.87 kilometres long, easy, circular and also a themed trail. A 1.3-kilometre spur leads through the Ă–se valley and offers a distant view of the Egge Hills. There are also various educational trails focused on nature: the fruit tree trail was established in 1995, while information panels along the waterway trail by the Ă–se describe the stream and the local wildlife in the surrounding area. When planning, you can therefore choose between a clearly measured, easy circular route and trails focused on natural history.
Activities and Finding Accommodation
Guided walks with alpacas are available in Gehrden. Together with tennis and minigolf, they add further ways to shape your stay alongside the cultural and nature-focused attractions. If you are planning a trip around a range of interests, you can weigh up these options when planning your days: ecclesiastical history, the park and landscape, educational trails or activities. When looking for accommodation in Gehrden, it helps to first decide which of these aspects you want to shape your stay.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Marienmünster, Bad Driburg, Beverungen, Höxter, Brakel, Warburg, Steinheim and Borgentreich.
Go to the main travel overview: Höxter.
