Menkhausen and St. Agatha Chapel

St. Agatha Chapel in Menkhausen

St. Agatha Chapel in Menkhausen was built in 1667 and is dedicated to Saint Agatha. It is located on the road towards Niederlandenbeck. Its design combines a compact form with several clearly distinguishable architectural features.

The chapel is a small, single-nave stone building. A single-nave building has one nave; the 5/8 choir refers to the shape of the choir’s end. There is a tower on the west side and a wooden ceiling inside. The arch shapes also differ: the entrance has a pointed arch, while the windows have round arches. The floor plan, choir, tower, ceiling and openings thus describe different aspects of the same building. In a 5/8 choir, the choir’s end forms five sides of an imaginary octagon.

The chapel’s history also includes its bronze bell. It was removed during the Second World War, later found again and repaired. It returned to the tower in 1993; electric operation was installed in 1994. The two dates mark different steps: the bell’s return and the subsequent technical conversion.

More cultural and nature topics in the wider destination of Schmallenberg

The wider destination of Schmallenberg offers further topics related to local history and architecture. Schmallenberg’s old town has a uniform Neoclassical architectural character and many restored half-timbered houses. This is a different architectural focus from the single-nave stone building of the chapel in Menkhausen: here, the old town’s appearance and half-timbered houses shape the perspective on the town.

Families can enjoy an approximately three-kilometre adventure trail in Schmallenberg, with 13 stations covering forests, animals, wood and birds. Another trail is the Forest Workers and Foresters’ Path in Schmallenberg-Latrop: it runs for 4.5 kilometres and has 17 stations covering forest ecology and the use of wood. The trails differ in length, number of stations and topics; the first brings together several nature topics, while the second focuses especially on forests and their use.

The SauerlandRadring is also part of the wider destination of Schmallenberg. The 84-kilometre route connects Finnentrop, Eslohe, Schmallenberg and Lennestadt and follows former railway lines. Alongside the trails with stations, it offers a longer cycling route linking several named towns. Check for current information about possible diversions before setting off.

The Forest Workers’ Museum in Schmallenberg-Latrop displays historical tools, photographs of earlier forest and village life, historical foresters’ office files, and information about the development of the chainsaw. The tools, photographs and files shed light on different aspects of forest work and life in the village in the past. A historical guided tour of the town offers insights into Schmallenberg’s history and introduces figures such as Floigenkasper and Breybalg. Check current dates and booking arrangements before taking part.

Discover more destinations: Sellinghausen, Westfeld, Kirchrarbach, Obringhausen, Bad Fredeburg, Fleckenberg, Altenilpe, Werntrop

To the wider travel overview: Schmallenberg.