Rheda-Wiedenbrück combines two historic town centres with a park stretching almost three kilometres along the Ems. The Flora-Westfalica Park runs from the Rose Garden in Rheda to Lake Ems in Wiedenbrück; historic streets, museums and outdoor leisure activities offer different ways to shape your stay. Which of these you focus on depends on whether you are more interested in architectural history, collections or outdoor activities.

Two Historic Town Centres

The two historic town centres offer different perspectives on Rheda-Wiedenbrück. In Rheda, the old town between Doktorplatz and Widumstraße forms an almost continuous historic ensemble. In Wiedenbrück, the historic layout, with its narrow lanes and small plots, has largely been preserved; many old houses once owned by farming citizens, craftsmen and merchants characterise its historic streets. This offers two ways to explore the town’s architecture: in Rheda, the focus is on the cohesive ensemble, while in Wiedenbrück, the street layout and historic houses provide concrete points of reference.

The transept of St Aegidius Church provides a precise historical reference: it was built around 1260. This dated part of the building complements the larger-scale layouts and houses of the old towns with a single architectural detail.

Collections and Economic History

The museums each have a different focus. The Carriage Museum displays carriages used in everyday life over three centuries, including sledges, children's carriages and a historic fire engine. The collection thus covers various types of carriages as well as other historic vehicles. The Radio and Telephone Museum in St. Vit is housed in an old bunker. It displays radios, radio valves, televisions, tape recorders, telephones and radio communications equipment, as well as recreated living-room scenes from the 1930s to the 1970s. While the carriage collection spans three centuries, the technical equipment and living-room scenes evoke everyday life in the 20th century.

The Alte Ziegelei Eusterbrock in Wiedenbrück-St. Vit represents another aspect of economic history. This typical Westphalian brickworks has a large ring kiln that visitors can walk through and explore. The Hagedorn and Pott-Hartwig distilleries are also prominent buildings that offer insight into the economic history of Rheda-Wiedenbrück. At the brickworks, the walk-through ring kiln is a distinctive feature; the distilleries, meanwhile, are notable for the significance of their buildings.

Park and Walking Trail

The Flora-Westfalica Park offers nature, relaxation, sports, play and fun across a stretch of almost three kilometres. Its location along the Ems and its route from the Rose Garden in Rheda to Lake Ems in Wiedenbrück give this connection a clear point of reference. The park thus brings together a range of activities in a dedicated open space between the two towns.

For those who want to focus on walking, the Ems-Wall Promenade is another option: it is recommended as a quality walking trail in Rheda-Wiedenbrück. The park and promenade offer different ways to enjoy exercise and relaxation.

Regional Context: Gütersloh

In the wider Gütersloh travel destination, large parts of the district of Gütersloh have been designated a landscape protection area since 23 March 1975. The Ems Cycle Path is one of the attractive long-distance cycle routes within the district of Gütersloh’s network of around 1,000 kilometres of cycle paths. This adds a distinct district-wide perspective on protected landscapes and long-distance cycle routes to the local history and park in Rheda-Wiedenbrück.

Getting There

Rheda-Wiedenbrück is connected to the motorway network via junctions 23 “Rheda-Wiedenbrück” and 22 “Rheda-Wiedenbrück-West/Herzebrock-Clarholz”. The town is the starting point of federal highways B 55 and B 61; B 64 also passes through the town. Rail connections include the Cologne–Hamm–Rheda-Wiedenbrück–Bielefeld–Hanover–Berlin route and the Nordwestbahn service via Münster and Warendorf. Before setting out, check current timetables and traffic conditions.

Discover more destinations: Werther, Versmold, Langenberg, Verl, Rietberg, Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock, Steinhagen, Halle/Westfalen.

Return to the main travel overview: Gütersloh.