Fürstenau combines a distinctive fortress history with several ways to explore. You can follow historic trails with audio stations, discover the town centre on a town rally, or book a guided tour on request. The castle island, old town and signposted paths offer different ways to spend your stay. When planning, you can first decide whether you would like to experience local history independently or as part of a guided tour.

Castle, Castle Island and Fortress

Fürstenau Castle was built as a border castle in the 14th century and expanded into a fortress in the Renaissance style from 1527 onwards. The castle island, with its striking former castle tower, is a landmark of the town. The Catholic parish church of St Catherine is located in the south wing of Fürstenau Castle. The northeast bastion of the former fortress is also a distinctive architectural feature: it is a Dürer-style circular bastion and unique of its kind in the Osnabrück region.

Discover Local History Independently or on a Guided Tour

On the historic trails through Fürstenau’s history, you can follow audio stations and listen to stories at your own pace. A town rally offers another way to explore the historic town centre: you answer questions along the way. Guided tours can be booked on request. They let you explore Fürstenau Castle and the historic old town with its churches and half-timbered houses, and walk along sights in the footsteps of former residents.

Another guided option is a tour with Fürstenau’s night watchman. Carrying a halberd and horn, he leads you by lantern light from the castle complex through the historic town centre. Along the way, he tells eerie, funny and true stories. So, when exploring Fürstenau’s history, you can choose between self-guided audio stations and a rally, guided tours on request, and the night watchman tour.

Signposted Paths and a Cycling Tour

The Fürstenau Heritage Association has signposted the Vorstenower Patt and the Mühlenweg, both starting and ending at Fürstenau’s market square. Both paths are therefore anchored at the market square. As route conditions can change, it is advisable to check the current conditions before setting out.

You can explore the Samtgemeinde by bike on the approximately 26-kilometre “Sachte an” tour. On the return leg, the route runs along the mill pond and the Bojemühle before reaching Fürstenau’s historic old town. Unlike the paths signposted from the market square, this cycling tour passes through the Samtgemeinde and takes in the old town on the way back.

Activities North of Fürstenau

North of Fürstenau, near the German border with the Netherlands, lies Fursten Forest. Quad, buggy and jeep tours are offered there; there is also paintball, go-karting and laser tag. Go-karting and laser tag are available from age 10. These activities complement the local history and walking routes with more things to do in the surrounding area. As providers and availability can change, check that the activities are running before you visit.

If you would like to include activities outside the town, Fursten Forest is located north of Fürstenau.

Discover more destinations: Gehrde, Merzen, Hagen Am Teutoburger Wald, Dissen Am Teutoburger Wald, Ostercappeln, Osnabrück, Bad Essen, Wallenhorst.

Back to the main travel overview: Osnabrück.