Bredelar: Monastery History and Mining Traces

Bredelar combines the history of a former Cistercian monastery with evidence of the mining industry and trails through forests and cultural landscapes. The Bredelar Mining Traces circular trail explores mining, geology and sites of cultural and historical interest; there are also hiking trails and a cycle route that passes through the area. This lets you plan your trip around your preferred balance of culture, activity and regional discoveries.

Monastery History and Culture

The permanent exhibition at the local history museum presents the history of the former Cistercian monastery of Bredelar and the Theodorshütte ironworks, which was housed there after secularisation. The exhibition also covers its use up to the present day. Bredelar Monastery is a late Baroque, three-wing complex built between 1787 and 1800 over older remains. Its architectural form and period of construction provide a tangible architectural connection to the monastery’s history.

The Protestant Church of Christ is also part of the town’s history: it was built on a hill in 1901. The monastery café regularly welcomes visitors on the first Sunday of each month, at the same time as the scheduled monastery tours. As schedules may change, check the current dates before planning your visit.

Mining Traces, Hiking and Cycling

The Bredelar Mining Traces circular trail is about 12 kilometres long, open year-round and can be walked independently. It passes through the Charlottenzug and Reinhard mining fields and by several geological outcrops and sites of cultural and historical interest. Along the way, it offers views into the Hoppecke and Diemel valleys. Mining history and geological insights define the focus of this longer exploration.

Diemelsee Nature Park begins in Bredelar. Well-signposted hiking trails around the town run mostly through deciduous and mixed forests, along field paths and on paved roads. These varied settings offer different impressions as you hike, without any one route defining the character of all the trails. Bredelar also has access points to the Sauerland Forest Route.

For those planning a cycling trip, the well-known Diemel Cycle Route is another option: it passes through Bredelar and is easy to reach from the town. You can choose between a circular route that can be walked independently and focuses on mining and geology, the signposted hiking trails, and the cycle route. The circular route’s approximate length of 12 kilometres is a useful guide for planning your day; the other route information describes the surroundings or access, but does not give comparable distances.

More Experiences in the Wider Destination of Marsberg

Other places and themes in the wider destination of Marsberg offer a broader perspective on the region. In Obermarsberg, you can visit remains of the old town wall, including the water tower and Buttenturm. The bird care centre in Marsberg-Essentho has been operating for more than 40 years; visits and guided tours are only possible by prior arrangement. Be sure to arrange your visit in advance and check availability.

At the Grube Reinhard recreation area (Meilerplatz) on the Diemel near Giershagen, an open-sided, covered multi-purpose pavilion houses an information centre for biomimetics, the regional mining industry and geology. Check visitor arrangements in advance. The archery course, also in the wider destination of Marsberg, is located on the grounds of a former copper mine and covers 5.9 hectares.

This distinction can help you decide what you want your trip to focus on before comparing accommodation.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Beringhausen, Leitmar, Padberg, Obermarsberg, Helminghausen.

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