Kamp-Lintfort: Monastery, Mining and Animal Encounters

Discover Kamp-Lintfort through two distinctive themes: the monastic culture of Kamp Abbey and the mining history of Friedrich Heinrich. These are joined by the Baroque terraced garden, the museum, the mine park as a place for exercise and recreation, and animal encounters at Kalisto Animal Park. You can therefore explore culture, industrial history and activities with animals as different focal points for your trip.

Kamp Abbey: Garden, Church and Museum

The Baroque terraced garden at Kamp Abbey is a well-known and popular day-trip destination beyond the region. From there, you can look up towards the abbey church and monastery complex, which is considered a popular photo opportunity. The garden and the view of the complex offer two different perspectives on the place: the landscaped garden and the monastery’s architecture.

The rebuilt abbey church, which has been preserved to this day, reflects the Cistercian style in its simple design. The Marian Chapel is part of the church. Those interested in the monastery’s former furnishings can find valuable original works at the Kamp Abbey Museum. The museum also displays the Kamper Antependium, an altar hanging from the 14th century.

The herb garden offers a different way to notice details: each plant is labelled. If you plan to include it in your visit, please check the access arrangements in advance.

Mining History and Animal Encounters at the Mine Park

Friedrich Heinrich Mine Park covers around 25 hectares and offers space for exercise and recreation. Its landmarks include the monumental headframe with an observation platform and the historic steel framework. Open space and distinctive mine buildings give this part of Kamp-Lintfort a different focus from the garden and abbey church.

An exhibition at the City and Mining Information Centre presents the history of Kamp-Lintfort and the mine. It covers various periods up to the end of coal mining, as well as the subsequent structural change and the subsequent and adaptive reuse of the mine site. The exhibition therefore covers both the period of mining and the changes that followed the end of production.

During tours of the training mine, former miners explain their working lives, the equipment and anecdotes from the days of Friedrich Heinrich Mine. Visits are available on request; there is also a seasonal break. Check the current dates and request a visit when planning your trip.

The family-friendly Kalisto Animal Park in Friedrich Heinrich Mine Park offers opportunities to pet alpacas and rabbits, watch meerkats and feed chickens, among other things. The activities range from direct contact with animals to observing them. Check the current animal activities and access conditions before your trip.

When choosing the focus of your trip, there is a clear comparison: at Kamp Abbey, the garden, church and original works of art take centre stage; at the mine park, the themes are open space, mining heritage and animal encounters.

More places to explore in the wider Wesel destination

The wider Wesel destination includes other distinct attractions. In Xanten, on the site of the Roman city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana, you’ll find the LVR Archaeological Park Xanten, Germany’s largest archaeological open-air museum. The LVR Roman Museum displays numerous original finds from the Roman city and the two legionary camps. They tell the story of the Roman city’s founding, heyday and decline. Demonstrations, festivals and hands-on activities take place regularly; check current dates and offerings before planning your visit.

The Bislicher Insel in Xanten is one of the last near-natural floodplain landscapes on the Lower Rhine, and a large part of it is protected. In winter, it provides a roosting place for several thousand Arctic geese, especially greater white-fronted geese and barnacle geese. Along the path, three observation huts offer views of the water and, with a little luck, the chance to spot numerous bird species.

The monastery shop at Kamp Abbey also sells Kamper honey, Kamper chocolates and Kamper beet syrup as souvenirs. Product availability may change.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Hünxe, Alpen, Neukirchen-Vluyn, Rheinberg, Xanten, Dinslaken, Wesel, Sonsbeck

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