Kranenburg: Church, Art and Kranenburger Bruch

Kranenburg can be explored through a range of different themes: late Gothic religious architecture, art at the Katharinenhof and the landscape of the Kranenburger Bruch. There are also circular walks through the historic town centre and the Bruch, as well as a ride on the Grenzland-Draisine.

Church and Art in Kranenburg

The parish, collegiate and pilgrimage church of St Peter and Paul stands on Kirchplatz in Kranenburg. The three-aisled building was constructed between 1406 and 1447 in the late Gothic style. Its long construction period and the church’s three functions give it a special place in the town’s history. Anyone interested in religious architecture will find a tangible starting point here for exploring Kranenburg; its location on Kirchplatz also makes it easy to find your way around the town.

Different periods and art forms come together at the Katharinenhof Museum. The collection includes medieval religious art, Renaissance paintings and works from the Fin de Siècle. Exhibits also include artefacts from past eras and contemporary art, including works by Joseph Beuys. The works on display may vary. The Katharinenhof can therefore be appreciated both for its historic collection and for the changing mix of older and contemporary works.

Wetland landscape and circular walks

The Kranenburger Bruch nature reserve is a large lowland peat bog. Its landscape includes species-rich wet grassland, extensive reed beds, wetland scrub and small alder carrs. The Kranenburger Bruch nature trail opened in 2024 and follows a 3.5-kilometre circular route with eight information boards. The boards provide a theme for the walk, while the range of wetland habitats defines the character of the landscape. Access within the nature reserve is partly restricted; please stay on the paths.

There are also walking and field paths in the area around the Bruch. From an observation hut near the Kurze Hufen/Tüthees car park, you can look out over the shallow lake. The hut and paths offer another perspective on the landscape. The same advice applies during your visit: please stay on the paths.

An easy circular walk through Kranenburg’s historic town centre is 2.58 kilometres long. Another feature of the townscape is the Rütterswall, which runs along the old town wall. The nature trail and the town-centre walk offer different highlights: the historic town centre takes centre stage on one, while the wetland landscape and its information boards are the focus of the other. The published route lengths also differ: the walk through the town centre is shorter than the 3.5-kilometre nature trail.

A different perspective: the Grenzland-Draisine

The Grenzland-Draisine runs along disused railway lines between Groesbeek, Kranenburg and Kleve. It offers a different way to experience the region than walking a route through the town centre or the Bruch. Seasonal operating times may change, so check the available dates before planning your trip around them.

Cycling in the wider Kleve destination

The wider Kleve destination offers another, broader perspective on cycling. Kleve District has more than 1,500 kilometres of cycle routes and numerous themed routes. A pocket guide, when unfolded, shows all the junctions in the district and includes information on how the district-wide junction system works. The 128-kilometre, signposted Niers Cycle Route runs from the source of the Niers in Mönchengladbach through the districts of Viersen and Kleve to the municipality of Gennep in the Netherlands. This information relates to Kleve District and the route, not to individual paths in Kranenburg.

Choose the focus that suits your trip

You now have a specific starting point for finding accommodation and planning your days.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Haldern, Bedburg-Hau, Straelen, Emmerich Am Rhein, Geldern, Appeldorn, Kerken, Rheurdt.

To the overview of the wider destination: Kleve.