Discover Fürstenau: Castle and Old Town

You can get to know Fürstenau through its castle history and various ways of exploring the town. If you are looking for a hotel in Fürstenau, you can plan your trip around whether you want to focus on the castle island and historic town center, self-guided audio stations, a guided tour, signposted routes or a bike tour. Fursten Forest is also located north of the town.

Castle Island and the History of the Fortress

The castle island, with its striking former castle tower, is a landmark of the town. Fürstenau Castle was built as a border castle in the 14th century and expanded into a fortress in the Renaissance style from 1527 onward. These details indicate a chronology and the different roles of the complex: the border castle was followed by its expansion into a fortress. Another architectural feature can be seen at the northeast bastion of the former fortress: it is a Dürer-style circular bastion, unique of its kind in the Osnabrück region. The Catholic parish church of St. Catherine is located in the south wing of Fürstenau Castle.

Explore the History Independently or on a Guided Tour

Along the historic paths through Fürstenau’s history, you can follow audio stations at your own pace and listen to stories. The town rally takes you through the historic town center and adds questions for you to answer as you explore. The formats therefore differ in how you take part: listening to stories or answering questions.

If you prefer to explore with a guide, guided tours are available to book on request. You can explore Fürstenau Castle and the historic Old Town, with its churches and half-timbered houses, and follow in the footsteps of former residents as you walk past the sights. The Fürstenau night watchman, carrying a halberd and horn and lit by lanterns, leads visitors from the castle complex through the historic town center. Along the way, he tells spooky, funny and true stories.

Signposted Routes and a Bike Tour

The Fürstenau local history association has signposted the Vorstenower Patt and the Mühlenweg, both starting and ending at Fürstenau Market Square. The square is therefore a shared reference point for both routes. A different way to get around is the approximately 26 km “Sachte an” bike tour, which leads through the Fürstenau collective municipality. On the return leg, it runs along the mill pond and the Bojemühle before reaching the historic Old Town. The options thus differ in their mode of travel and route: two signposted paths linked to the market square and a bike tour through the collective municipality. Route conditions may change; check the latest information before setting out.

Activities North of Fürstenau

Fursten Forest is located north of Fürstenau, near the German border with the Netherlands. Quad, buggy and Jeep tours are offered there; there is also paintball, go-karting and laser tag. Go-karting and laser tag are available from age 10. As operators and availability may change, check current operations before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Alfhausen, Hagen am Teutoburger Wald, Wallenhorst, Dissen am Teutoburger Wald, Georgsmarienhütte, Bissendorf, Bad Iburg, Hilter am Teutoburger Wald.

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