Discover Sennestadt

Sennestadt can be explored through two themes: its development as a new town and art in public spaces. Its origins date back to the early 1950s. The new town was planned on the former heath and meadow landscape of Senne II; the urban design is associated with Prof. Dr. Reichow. The Sculpture Trail offers another way to explore the area, taking in works at various locations in Sennestadt. This allows you to learn about both its origins and the art found at specific sites.

Urban planning as part of local history

Sennestadt’s conception as a planned new town shapes the historical perspective on the area. Its connection to the former Senne II and the association of its urban design with Prof. Dr. Reichow provide a concrete framework for this background. If you are interested in urban history, this offers a different approach from looking at individual works of art: here, the focus is on planning a new urban space, while the other approach is to explore art at various locations in public spaces.

Sculptures in public spaces

A Sculpture Trail showcases Sennestadt’s public art. The listed locations include Sennestadt Pond, Sennestadt House, the plateau on Sennestadtring and Reichowplatz. These places provide a geographical orientation for exploring the art; rather than viewing individual works in isolation, you can explore the Sculpture Trail’s stops. The printed brochure is out of print, but a provisional version is available digitally.

An art collection with its own timeline

The history of the collection offers another way in: works were acquired through the “skulptur aktuell” exhibition series, which ran from 1983 to 2004. These sculptures add to the townscape. The Sculpture Trail and the exhibition history answer different questions: the trail draws attention to locations and works, while the series focuses on the period during which some of the collection was acquired.

Bielefeld: more cultural and landscape highlights

In the wider destination of Bielefeld, the Kunsthalle offers a focus of its own. The museum of modern and contemporary art opened in 1968 in a building designed by American architect Philip Johnson (1906–2005). It presents collection and temporary exhibitions of 20th- and 21st-century art. Changing exhibitions and a varied programme of events and educational activities round out the offer.

The Bauernhausmuseum in Bielefeld offers a different historical perspective. It has been in existence since 1917 and is Westphalia’s oldest open-air museum. Since reopening in 1999, it has presented and brought to life rural life around 1850, shaped by the natural, economic and political conditions of the time. Its historical focus therefore differs markedly from Sennestadt’s urban planning history.

The Hermannsweg is also one of Bielefeld’s highlights: this ridge trail runs along the crest of the Teutoburg Forest and passes directly through Bielefeld city centre, among other places. It is considered one of Germany’s ten best long-distance hiking trails. For a historical visit, there is Sparrenburg, also known as Burg Sparrenberg, which was first mentioned in a document in 1256. The one-hour Casemates Tour gives visitors an insight into more than 750 years of castle history and lets them explore the 300-metre-long underground passage system. Seasonal opening times may vary, so it is advisable to check the dates in advance. From the tower, panoramic views stretch across Bielefeld and, in good weather, as far as the Wiehen Hills.

Other cultural venues in Bielefeld cater to different interests. The Naturkunde-Museum im Spiegelshof focuses on nature, people and the environment. Spiegelshof dates back to 1540 and is one of the few surviving noble estates. St. Jodokus Church houses the “Black Madonna”, dating from 1220. Thus, the wider destination of Bielefeld brings together natural history, rural history, architecture, art and hiking landscapes, while Sennestadt’s own themes include urban planning and the Sculpture Trail.

For the broader travel overview: Bielefeld.