One of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in Westphalia is located on the left bank of the River Ems in the middle of a protected landscape. Secularized in 1803 and converted into a castle by a Belgian aristocratic family, Bentlage Abbey is now a place of art and encounters. In addition to the important collection on the history of the monastery, it houses the Westphalian Gallery and is a meeting place for renowned contemporary artists - and cyclists.
The Canons Regular, who founded the monastery in 1437, were already renowned connoisseurs of art. In addition to their work as pastors, they commissioned important works of art from Rheine, such as richly decorated sandstone altars and expressive apostle figures. Such art treasures from the Middle Ages to the Baroque period, including two unique "reliquary gardens", form the focus of the Museum Kloster Bentlage today. In the darkened chapter house of the monastery, visitors gaze in fascination at the bones of the saints in the "Garden of Eden", artfully arranged with artificial flowers, sculptures and precious stones. A symbol of eternal life, the likes of which cannot be found anywhere else in Germany.
Exhibition, performance and installation
The listed complex, which has been largely preserved in its original state, also offers space for modernity and presents works by important artists in the "Westphalian Gallery" of the LWL Museum of Art and Culture.r Kunst und Kultur presents works by important artists such as August Macke, Josef Albers, Wilhelm Morgner, Emil Schumacher and Otto Modersohn, who was one of the founders of the Worpswede artists' colony.
And of course contemporary artists, professors and students are also regular guests in the old barn, the well-preserved dormitory, the light-filled salons and the simple cloister. Kloster Bentlage offers plenty of space for changing exhibitions, performances and installations with a focus on contemporary printmaking. In addition, workshops and symposia as well as a printing workshop and studio apartment attract artists of international standing to the recreational area on the banks of the River Ems, which is also a hub for several cycle routes in the Münsterland region. Among other things, the Ems Cycle Path meets the 100 Castles Route at the monastery and the neighboring "Gottesgabe" salt works. So it's your own fault if you don't get off the saddle.
