Discover Herzebrock-Clarholz

Herzebrock-Clarholz brings monastic history to life in various locations: in Clarholz, at the St. Laurentius monastery church, and in Herzebrock, at the former monastery garden. Hiking and cycling routes have their own distinct features and differ in length and course. When looking for a holiday apartment, you may therefore want to first consider whether you would like to include the historic sites, a hike or the cycling loop in Clarholz in your plans.

Monastic history in Clarholz and Herzebrock

Built in the 12th century, the Clarholz monastery church of St. Laurentius is the oldest surviving building in the district of Gütersloh. Its bells also tell the story of the monastery era: of the four known bells, two have been preserved at St. Laurentius. One of them is the Angelus bell from 1320, the oldest of the surviving bells. The building’s history and individual details of its fittings offer different ways to explore the history of the place.

In Herzebrock, the Caspar-Ritter-von-Zumbusch Museum is located in the birthplace of Caspar Clemens Zumbusch. Today, civil wedding ceremonies are held in the provost’s building in Clarholz, which also occasionally hosts concerts, readings and other cultural events. If you are planning a visit or an event, it is best to check the current dates in advance. On certain days each year, the Friends of the Clarholz Provostry also offer open guided tours lasting 45 to 90 minutes; check the current dates and availability before travelling.

On foot through the monastery garden and monastic sites

The hiking trail, about five kilometres long, passes the former Herzebrock Benedictine convent, its reconstructed garden and the neighbouring church square. It partly follows the Prälatenweg. Another circular trail, about eight kilometres long, also partly follows the Prälatenweg. It can be started and finished at the former Premonstratensian monastery in Clarholz. At about five kilometres, the hiking trail is shorter than the circular route, which is about eight kilometres long.

A recurring event in the Herzebrock monastery garden is the annual literary walk. Readings of poetry or prose take place at various stops around the former monastery complex, complemented by musical performances. The Friends of the Clarholz Provostry also organise a walk once a year, either along the Kerkherrenweg or the Prälatenweg. As these events take place on specific dates, it is worth checking the dates before your visit.

Out and about by bike

Another option for an active day is the R 18 cycling loop, which passes through Herzebrock-Clarholz and is just under 18 kilometres long. Clarholz market square is a suitable starting point. This makes it easy to distinguish the route from the shorter hiking trails when planning: the R 18 is the longer cycling route, while the walking routes are listed as about five and eight kilometres long. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can use these different locations and routes as a starting point for your plans and consider which focus best suits your stay.

The wider destination of Gütersloh

The wider destination of Gütersloh also offers a variety of landscapes. Large parts of the district of Gütersloh have been designated a landscape conservation area since 23 March 1975. Barrelpäule is one of the oldest nature reserves in the district and has been protected under the Reich Nature Conservation Act since 1937. The Boomberge nature reserve, with its nutrient-poor sandy sites, is the most significant inland dune area in the district of Gütersloh. The Holter Wald is one of the district’s largest contiguous woodland areas; together with the neighbouring Schloßwiesen meadows, the Erlenbruch nature reserve is a popular local recreation area.

Discover more destinations: Langenberg, Rietberg, Marienfeld, Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Halle/Westfalen, Versmold, Verl, Harsewinkel.

See the full travel overview: Gütersloh.