Heek: Traditions, Church History and the Dinkel Valley

Church History and the Schlöffken Custom

The Catholic Church of St. Ludgerus in Heek was first documented in 1256. Its nave, clad in rubble stone, has been preserved; features of art-historical significance include the late Romanesque portal on the south side. The church thus offers tangible points of interest for exploring architectural history: a church building documented at an early date and surviving architectural elements with different designs.

The Schlöffken custom adds a distinctive touch to the Heek calendar of annual events. It has been observed every January for generations. The men parade through the village in Schlöffken attire: they wear a wooden shoe on one foot and a leather shoe on the other; a walking stick and Mettwurst sausage are also part of the tradition. Along the way, they visit the local pubs in turn. Its fixed date and unusual combination of clothing make the custom unmistakable.

The Schlöffken statue at Eppingscher Hof commemorates this tradition. The custom has its roots in a Shrovetide tradition and dates back to the 19th century. The statue and the annual observance thus point to two different aspects of the same story: its historical origins and its enduring place in Heek’s annual calendar.

Guided Tours and Music in Nienborg

Guided tours of most of the sights in Heek, Nienborg and the Ahle farming community are available by arrangement. You can get information from the Heek municipal citizen service office. If you would like to include several places or sights in your travel plans, arranging this in advance is the right step.

In Nienborg, the activities of the NRW State Music Academy are spread across seven buildings in the Ringburg complex and the town of Heek-Nienborg. The Academy’s music centre comprises three halls; the concert hall can accommodate up to 300 people. The number of buildings and halls gives a concrete idea of the scale of this musical venue. Nienborg thus adds its own distinctive cultural focus to Heek’s church and traditional customs.

The Dinkel Valley and Cycling Routes

The Dinkeltal nature reserve lies just south of Heek. It encompasses around four kilometres of the Dinkel’s natural course, between Düstermühle to the south and the Oldemölls Venneken nature reserve to the north. The area also includes adjacent wooded areas and extensive grassland. The river, woodland and grassland offer a different perspective on the surroundings from the town’s architectural history and traditions.

Nienborg also has a documented connection to cycling routes: when it opened in 2014, the Dinkel Cycle Route closed a gap in the cycling and walking network west of Nienborg, between the Dinkel nature trail and the town.

Holiday Apartments and Trip Planning

When looking for a holiday apartment in Heek, you can take both the time of year and your interests into account. The Schlöffken custom is observed every January, while guided tours are available by arrangement. If you would like to include both in your plans, plan around the January date and arrange the tour separately with the citizen service office. In terms of content, local history and traditions are complemented by nature and cycling around the Dinkel and Nienborg.

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