Discover Arnsberg

Town history and monastic culture

St. George’s Town Chapel in Arnsberg’s upper town was built in 1323 at the initiative of Count Wilhelm of Arnsberg; the sacristy was added in 1730. Beside the chapel stands the 44-metre-high bell tower. It was formerly the southern main gate of Arnsberg’s old or upper town. Together, the chapel and tower link religious architectural history with the town’s former fortifications.

Wedinghausen Monastery developed into a centre of learning. Its history includes a scriptorium and a monastery school that was already in existence around 1300. Those interested in the development of education and literary culture will find a different way into the past here than at the buildings of the upper town.

Oelinghausen Monastery is located in the district of Holzen. Its nave features rich Baroque decoration, created in 1712 by the sculptor Wilhelm Spliethoven, known as Pater, from Volbringen (Ense). The monastery also has three medieval depictions of the Crucifixion, dating from 1150, 1270 and 1380, as well as a Romanesque Madonna figure from around 1200. As a pilgrimage site, Oelinghausen Monastery attracts many thousands of visitors. Its furnishings and the different periods in which they were created give the site its own distinctive historical character.

Town tours, cycling and the Ruhr

Town tours are one way to discover the district of Arnsberg’s historical heritage. The Ruhr Valley Cycle Route also passes through the medieval town centre as a stop along the way. The Arnsberg Monastery Route offers a historical perspective from two angles. Alongside its cycle route, there is a geocaching trail with nine stations: five numbers must be found at these stations to unlock the final. Before setting out, check whether the geocache is currently available.

For an active outing on the water, guided canoe tours on the Ruhr in Arnsberg are offered for less experienced paddlers. Before your trip, check which tour providers and dates are currently available. This lets you plan a canoe tour separately from sightseeing and cycling routes, rather than exploring every experience in the same way.

At the remaining ruins on Arnsberg Castle Hill, an app lets you experience the castle at its original size. The town described this digital experience in a notice from 2025; check whether the app is currently available before visiting. From the plateau on Castle Hill, you can enjoy a wide-ranging panoramic view over the district of Arnsberg. As access conditions can change, it is also worth checking the latest situation here.

The wider setting: Hochsauerland District

Beyond Arnsberg, Hochsauerland District provides the regional setting. The district is a member of Sauerland-Rothaargebirge Nature Park, together with the areas that were previously part of Homert and Rothaargebirge Nature Parks. It is one of Germany’s largest nature parks. Arnsberg Forest Nature Park offers an extensive network of well-maintained hiking trails across the wider travel region. This regional perspective complements Arnsberg’s town history and experiences with a distinct focus on nature.

Kahler Asten is also in Hochsauerland District: at 841 metres, it is one of the highest elevations in North Rhine-Westphalia. At the regional level, the A 46 provides access to Hochsauerland District from west to east. It connects the region with the metropolitan areas along the Rhine and Ruhr and with the new federal states; the road is open throughout between Neheim and Bestwig. Check current traffic conditions before you travel.

Choose the right base

When looking for a holiday apartment in Arnsberg, you can start by considering which aspects of the destination matter most for your trip. If historic buildings and guided tours are your priority, the focus is on the upper town and its history. If you’re planning to cycle, take a guided canoe tour or follow the geocaching trail, you can take these interests into account when choosing where to stay. For the history of the monasteries and Oelinghausen’s furnishings, Holzen is another distinct point of reference. This way, your choice is guided by the experiences that interest you, rather than by a general idea of the best location.

Discover more districts and destinations

For further orientation within the destination, you can also visit the pages for Neheim-Hüsten and Herdringen. Discover more destinations: Sundern, Bestwig, Marsberg, Schmallenberg, Eslohe, Olsberg.

View the broader travel overview: Hochsauerland District.