Hörstel: Monastic History, Peat Moor and Equestrian Sports

When planning a trip to Hörstel, several themes take centre stage: contemporary art and monastic history at DA Kunsthaus Kloster Gravenhorst, architectural history in Bevergern, leisure activities at Torfmoorsee and equestrian sports in Riesenbeck. Which of these themes shapes your stay depends on whether art, historic architecture, activities on the water or equestrian sports are your priority.

Art and Monastic History

For more than ten years, DA Kunsthaus Kloster Gravenhorst has offered a space for experiencing contemporary, cross-disciplinary art and culture, and for taking part and exchanging ideas. At the same time, the former monastery—with its church, convent buildings, mill, millpond, bakehouse and brewery, monastery wall and historic bridges—conveys the impression of an almost completely preserved monastic complex. Here, a contemporary cultural programme meets a historic group of buildings.

The guided-tour programme includes tours on the monastery’s history and art, as well as staged theatrical tours featuring historical characters on the first and third Sunday of every month. Group tours can be booked by arrangement. If a guided tour is important to your trip, check that the date falls within your stay.

Architectural History in Bevergern

In Bevergern, St. Mary’s Parish Church is a Late Gothic hall church with a polygonal choir dating from the 15th century and a richly decorated interior. A polygonal choir has an end section with several sides. The tower was raised in 1686 using dressed stones from Bevergern Castle, which was blown up in 1680; further extensions were added in 1759, 1767 and 1937. The dates show that the building’s history spans several distinct periods.

The Küsterei offers a different perspective on Bevergern’s architectural history: the half-timbered house with a gabled façade and half-hipped roof dates from 1663 and is one of Bevergern’s oldest houses. Once a farmer-citizen’s house, it has a large threshing floor behind the entrance gate. This brings the residential and working aspects of local history into view alongside the religious building. The threshing floor points to the house’s former function as a farmer-citizen’s house and clearly distinguishes it from the parish church.

Landscape, Torfmoorsee and Equestrian Sports

The landscape is another defining feature of Hörstel: the Münsterland park landscape gives way to the Teutoburg Forest, and the scenery is also shaped by the 95-metre-high Huckberg. This changing landscape is a separate consideration when planning a trip if you would like to take in the surroundings as well as the culture and local history.

The 57-hectare Torfmoor recreational area includes the lake of the same name, Torfmoorsee. You can sail, fish and surf on the lake. For time by the shore, there is a sandy beach and a sunbathing lawn for relaxing in the sun. Water sports and relaxation on land are different ways to enjoy the same lake. If you are planning one of these activities, check the specific conditions locally, as they may vary.

Riesenbeck International equestrian centre adds training and equestrian competitions to the range of things to do in Hörstel. The options are clearly distinct: Gravenhorst focuses on art, monastic history and guided tours; Torfmoorsee on activities on the water; and Riesenbeck on equestrian sports.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Riesenbeck, Bevergern, Dreierwalde, Mettingen, Hopsten, Westerkappeln, Wettringen, Ladbergen.

Back to the regional travel overview: Steinfurt.