Weerselo: Het Stift and its history

Weerselo has a distinctive historic focal point in Het Stift. Het Stift Weerselo is designated as a protected village scene in the municipality of Dinkelland, in the province of Overijssel. This provides a clear theme for a stay: church and architectural history at Het Stift, insights into the buildings’ former uses, or a longer cycling tour. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, you can use these themes as a starting point for planning your day.

The Stiftskerk and its history

The Stiftskerk is the central building at Het Stift. In the Middle Ages, it served as a monastery and parish church; later, it became the collegiate church of the Reformed congregation. It is still used in this capacity today. The layout of the present-day church dates back to around 1400. At that time, it was probably rebuilt in Bentheim sandstone because the number of congregation members had increased. As a result, several periods come together in one building: its medieval use, its later function as a collegiate church, and its present-day use by the Reformed congregation. The approximate construction date and the reason for the rebuilding, which is described as probable, help distinguish these aspects.

Buildings between monastery, school and craft traditions

The other buildings also tell of different former uses. The Stiftshuizen are an indirect continuation of the west wing of the medieval monastery. The chapter house known as the Stiftsschuur had long served as a barn, more precisely as a horse and carriage shed, even before the French period. The Stiftschool is believed to have been a denomination-based school for children from the surrounding rural area. The Weerselo family Berends worked as blacksmiths in De Smederij for more than a hundred years; many horses were shod there in the past. Together, these buildings trace a path from the history of the monastery through a possible former role as a school to local craft traditions. Those interested in Het Stift can therefore find various historical connections to individual buildings in addition to the church.

Guided tours, information and music

Het Stift offers guided tours of the grounds for groups of ten or more. The buildings and the uses of Het Stift over the centuries are explained during the tours; prior contact may be required to arrange one. The Stiftswijzer is an information point at Het Stift. It provides information about Het Stift and the surrounding area, as well as space for small exhibitions, and is wheelchair-accessible. The two offerings have different focuses: the guided tour covers the buildings and their uses over the centuries, while the Stiftswijzer also includes the surrounding area.

Another cultural dimension is the Stiftsconcerten, which represent a sixty-year musical tradition at Het Stift. The tradition continued after the foundation relaunched with a new board. Het Stift is therefore connected not only with architectural and usage history, but also with music.

The Stift cycling route as a longer tour

The Stift cycling route is 61 kilometres long and leads to historic sites in the area around Tubbergen and Weerselo. These include Het Stift, a centuries-old protected village scene. The route also passes picturesque watermills and runs through the beautiful countryside around Ootmarsum. It thus combines historic destinations with scenic views of the surrounding area. This offers a clear choice when planning your day: a visit to Het Stift focuses on the church, buildings and their history, while the 61-kilometre route takes a different approach and leads to several historic sites. Which option better suits your trip depends on whether you are mainly interested in the ensemble or in a more extensive cycling tour.

Visitor information

There is no admission charge to visit Het Stift. The buildings and restaurant each have their own opening hours. If access to a particular building or the restaurant is part of your plans, check the relevant opening times in advance.

Discover more destinations: Saasveld, Agelo, Rossum, Lattrop, Tilligte, Denekamp, Deurningen, Ootmarsum.

Return to the overarching travel guide: Dinkelland.