The Walkenbrückentor preserves a remnant of Coesfeld’s town fortifications from the 14th century. The gate houses DAS TOR, the city museum, which presents Coesfeld’s past. This preserved structure thus brings together city history and a museum in one place. Other facets of Coesfeld can be found in its art, religious heritage, and paths through parks and countryside.
City history and culture
The former synagogue is also part of the city’s historical heritage. It has been preserved as one of the few surviving buildings of its kind in Westphalia. DAS TOR is open on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. The former synagogue is open on Saturdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Check the opening hours again before your visit.
St. James’ Church is part of the historic Way of St. James pilgrimage route from Bielefeld via Coesfeld to Wesel. Another way to explore local history is through the house on Letter Straße, which now houses a small museum dedicated to local poet Natz Thier. If you are interested in regional literature, this place adds the work of a local poet to the story of the city.
For art, the Münsterland Art Association is based in central Coesfeld and offers visitors more than 230 square metres of exhibition space. The different cultural venues each offer a distinct perspective, from the city’s past and the historic pilgrimage route to art and literature.
Cycling and walking routes of varying lengths
The district of Coesfeld has an extensive cycling network with several hundred kilometres of well-maintained routes. The routes connect cities, municipalities and districts, and lead through the parkland of the MĂĽnsterland region. The MĂĽnsterland junction network can help you find your way: numbered junctions and freely chosen sequences of numbers make flexible route planning possible. Check local route conditions before setting off.
Coesfeld is one of the recommended starting points for the main route of the Hohe Mark Cycle Route. Coesfeld is also the starting point for four rides on the Coesfeld Star Tour. Check the latest route information before setting off, as tour details may change.
There are walking routes of varying lengths to choose from. The 30-kilometre Baumberger Ludgerusweg runs between Stift Tilbeck and Coesfeld. Coesfeld and Lette also have local circular walking routes ranging from 4 to 20 kilometres. The walking options mentioned therefore differ considerably in length: the local circular routes are up to 20 kilometres long, while the Ludgerusweg covers 30 kilometres.
The Coesfeld Tourist Information Centre is located in the citizens’ office at Coesfeld town hall and sells hiking and cycling maps. Check its location and map selection again before your trip. The maps can complement your planning, while the junctions offer flexible navigation for cycling routes.
Parkland, river and regional cultural landscape
Coesfeld Castle Park, also known as Liebfrauenpark, was opened to the public in 1980. The Berkel flows through the park and was made accessible to visitors again through a redesign. Together, the park’s history and riverside setting give this place a distinctive landscape. Coesfeld is also part of the Hohe Mark Nature Park.
Looking at the district of Coesfeld broadens the picture of the regional cultural landscape: it is distinguished by an exceptionally high concentration of castles, fortresses and historic manor houses. Some are open to visitors or serve as event venues, museums or places to visit. Access arrangements vary from site to site, so check them before planning a visit.
Discover more destinations: Nottuln, Havixbeck, Coesfeld, Senden, Rosendahl, Ascheberg, DĂĽlmen, Billerbeck, LĂĽdinghausen, Nordkirchen, Olfen.
Go to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.
