Discover Thuine

For a stay in Thuine, several distinct themes are available: Franciscan history and church art, a megalithic tomb, and cycling and hiking ideas for the Emsland region. Local sights and regional routes are separate aspects of planning. When looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether your stay will focus mainly on the churches and monastery grounds or whether you would also like to include cycling and hiking routes in the Emsland region.

Christ the King Church and Franciscan History

Christ the King Church was built in 1928 and 1929 and consecrated on July 25, 1929. The monastery church houses the Christ the King mosaic: it is eight meters high, 3.75 meters wide and made up of 130,000 stones. This visit brings architectural history and a large-scale work of art together.

The Franciscan monastery grounds include the old St. George’s Chapel, Christ the King Church and a small mission museum. The museum documents the history of the order and displays handicrafts from mission areas. The grounds offer an insight into everything from church buildings to the objects on display.

The Franciscan community in Thuine was founded on November 25, 1869, when the first four sisters took their vows. Mother M. Anselma Bopp was the first superior general. This founding history complements the architectural and artistic history with an account of how the community began.

Guided tours of the monastery grounds are available by appointment. Plan a tour in advance and check the current booking arrangements.

St. George’s Church: History and Furnishings

St. George’s Church is the only church in the Diocese of Osnabrück where the Simultaneum is still in place. Following its restoration, the first Catholic service was held on November 5, 1826; the Protestant parish of Freren-Thuine continues to use the church on certain occasions. These two uses are part of its distinctive church history.

The furnishings also reflect different periods: the church contains a Bentheim baptismal font from the 13th century and a Pietà dating to around 1700. The exterior of St. George’s Church can be viewed at any time. Nevertheless, check the current situation before travelling.

Megalithic Tomb in the Kunkenvenne

The megalithic tomb in the Kunkenvenne has a 25.5-meter-long chamber with two stone enclosures. Almost all of the capstones remain in their original positions. The chamber’s length and the preserved positions of the capstones provide specific points of reference for viewing this prehistoric structure. The megalithic tomb is accessible at any time; check access conditions before travelling.

Cycling and Hiking in the Emsland Region

Thuine lies on Windmühlenberg, which, at 91 meters, is considered the highest elevation in the Emsland region. On the cycling route between Thuine and Freren, cyclists pass the Saller See recreational area. Check the current signage before setting off.

The Emsland region has a 2,660-kilometer cycling network of numbered junctions, as well as more than 50 themed day tours. The region’s hiking landscape ranges from gently rolling hills to fields, moors, heathland and forests, as well as paths along waterways. These regional offerings complement visits to Thuine’s sights, but as Emsland routes they are a separate part of trip planning.

One example of a long-distance hiking route is the 325-kilometer cross-border Hünenweg. It runs from Osnabrück via Meppen to Groningen; several megalithic tombs thousands of years old lie along the route. Its length and course make it a more extensive tour than a single outing to a historic site. Check the latest route details before setting off.

For the broader travel overview: Freren.