Discover Bredelar: Monastery, Mining and Walking Trails

During a stay in Bredelar, cultural history and outdoor activities can be explored separately. The former Cistercian monastery and the history of the Theodorshütte ironworks give the town a distinct historical theme; the Bredelar Mining Heritage Trail adds mining and geology to the picture. There are also signposted walking trails and the Diemel Cycle Path, which passes through the town. This lets you plan your outings around the interests that matter most to you.

Monastery and Industrial History

The permanent exhibition at the local history museum presents the history of the former Cistercian monastery in Bredelar and the Theodorshütte ironworks. The ironworks was established in the monastery after secularisation; the exhibition also covers its use through to the present day. The historical story thus continues from the monastery to its later industrial use. If you choose Bredelar primarily for its cultural history, the combination of the monastery and ironworks offers more than the history of a single building.

Bredelar Monastery is a late Baroque, three-wing complex built between 1787 and 1800 over older remains. The Protestant Christ Church was built on a hill in 1901. The monastery’s architectural style and the church’s year of construction offer different points of reference if you are interested in architectural history.

The monastery café welcomes visitors regularly on the first Sunday of each month, at the same time as the scheduled monastery tours. As schedules can change, check the current dates for the café and tours in advance.

Walking and Cycling Around Bredelar

The Bredelar Mining Heritage Trail is about 12 km long, open year-round and can be explored independently. It passes through the Charlottenzug and Reinhard mining fields, by several geological exposures and sites of cultural and historical interest, and offers views into the Hoppecke and Diemel valleys. Its approximate length gives you a practical basis for planning your outing, while mining and geology provide the trail’s thematic focus.

Well-signposted walking trails around Bredelar run mostly through deciduous and mixed forests, along field paths and on paved roads. While the mining trail focuses on the named mining fields and geological exposures, the other routes are distinguished mainly by their varied terrain. You can therefore plan your walks based on both the theme and the type of path.

Diemelsee Nature Park begins in Bredelar. The trail also offers views into the Hoppecke and Diemel valleys. These landscapes add another perspective to the town’s cultural and historical attractions.

For cycling, the Diemel Cycle Path is a specific option: it passes through Bredelar and is easily reached from the village. There are also access points to the Sauerland Forest Route in Bredelar. These named routes give you several options for planning your outings.

More Places to Visit in the Marsberg Destination

The wider Marsberg destination also has its own sights to explore. In Obermarsberg, you can still see 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 tours are only possible by prior arrangement. Please arrange your visit in advance. At the Grube Reinhard recreation area (charcoal kiln site) on the Diemel near Giershagen, an open-sided, roofed multifunctional pavilion houses an information centre for bionics, the regional mining industry and geology. Check current visiting arrangements before you go.

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

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