Fürstenau: Castle, Old Town and Trails

Fürstenau combines a striking castle complex with a historic town centre that can be explored in a variety of ways: along self-guided trails, on a town rally or with a night watchman. There are also signposted trails starting at the market square and a cycling route whose return leg passes the mill pond and Bojemühle. This gives you a choice of different ways to spend your days, from architectural history and exploring the town to getting active.

Castle Complex, Castle Island and Church

Castle Island, with its distinctive former castle tower, is a landmark of Fürstenau. The castle was built as a border fortress in the 14th century and expanded into a Renaissance-style fortress from 1527 onwards. On the northeast side of the former fortress is a Dürer-style round bastion, unique of its kind in the Osnabrück region. If you are interested in historic architectural styles, you can turn your attention from the landmark to this distinctive feature of the complex.

The Catholic parish church of St. Catherine is also part of the castle ensemble: it is located in the south wing of Fürstenau Castle. On guided tours, you can explore the castle and historic old town with its churches and half-timbered houses, and visit sights along trails once walked by former residents. These tours can be booked on request.

Stories and Puzzles in the Old Town

Along the historic trails through Fürstenau’s history, you can follow audio stations at your own pace and listen to stories. A town rally offers a different focus: you explore the historic town centre while answering questions. The main difference between the activities is whether you listen to stories at the stations or take on the rally’s questions.

Carrying a halberd and horn, Fürstenau’s night watchman leads visitors by lantern light from the castle complex through the historic town centre. Along the way, he tells spooky, funny and true stories. This nighttime storytelling offers a distinct atmosphere alongside the audio stations and the rally.

Signposted Trails and a Cycling Tour

The Fürstenau local history association has signposted the Vorstenower Patt and the Mühlenweg, both starting and ending at Fürstenau market square. The market square is therefore a clear starting and finishing point for both trails. As trail conditions can change, it is a good idea to check them before setting out.

For a longer cycling trip, the approximately 26-kilometre “Sachte an” route runs through the Fürstenau collective municipality. On the return leg, it passes along the mill pond and Bojemühle before reaching Fürstenau’s historic old town. When planning, you can therefore choose between the signposted trails connected to the market square and this longer cycling route through the collective municipality.

More Activities in the Surrounding Area

The Fursten Forest is located north of Fürstenau, near the German border with the Netherlands. Activities there include quad, buggy and jeep tours, as well as paintball, go-karting and laser tag. Go-karting and laser tag are available from age 10. As opening arrangements and availability can change, check the latest information before visiting.

More Destinations in the Wider Osnabrück Destination

The wider Osnabrück destination also includes individual places with their own distinct attractions. At the Bad Essen-Barkhausen dinosaur tracks, fossilised dinosaur tracks can be seen on a steep rock face; the visitor area includes two dinosaur replicas, detailed information panels and a circular trail. The signposted dinosaur trail there is a 16-kilometre circular hiking route. In Bramsche, the Tuchmacher Museum produces fluffy woollen blankets on working machines that are over 100 years old. These examples complement Fürstenau’s castle and old-town history with natural history and traditional crafts in other places within the wider Osnabrück destination.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Fürstenau, you can use your planned activities as a guide: the castle, church and town centre offer a different focus from the trails and cycling tour.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Bissendorf, Wallenhorst, Bohmte, Bramsche, Menslage, Alfhausen, Atter, Hilter Am Teutoburger Wald

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