Hopsten combines a townscape shaped by history with insights into Tödden history and the Heiliges Meer nature reserve. When planning your trip, you can choose between cultural topics in the town centre, visits by appointment and nature experiences that can also be explored on cycling tours.
Historic Town Centre and Tödden History
Old Tödden houses and half-timbered houses shape Hopsten’s historic town centre. The Tödden Column, erected in 1956 in memory of the Tödden, stands in the heart of the town centre. The Romanesque parish church of St. George is also part of the historic centre. The column and the church complement the townscape with two specific places of interest that reveal different aspects of the town.
The Old Brewery on the Holling farmstead displays historical objects, including an old shoemaker’s workshop and a hairdressing salon. Tours of the Old Brewery are available by appointment. If you would like to include this visit in your plans, be sure to book the tour in advance.
Haus Nieland is also connected with Hopsten’s history. The house, also known as Poggeburg, was built by Hermann Pogge, described as the most influential Tödden wholesale trader of his time. Haus Nieland became known through the Dichterbund der Werkleute, founded in 1912. Tours of the house are personally conducted by its owners and take place by prior appointment. You can arrange an appointment by calling 05458 936866.
Heiliges Meer: Sinkhole Lakes and Habitats
The Heiliges Meer nature reserve covers approximately 260 hectares and is located in the municipalities of Hopsten and Recke in the district of Steinfurt. Over thousands of years, a chain of sinkhole lakes formed there as underground salt deposits collapsed. The area also includes heathland and woodland communities in both dry and wet locations. Geological processes and diverse habitats are equally part of the natural history of this area.
From the end of March to the end of October, the LWL Museum of Natural History at Heiliges Meer offers a free exhibition. It covers the formation of the sinkhole lakes as well as the habitats, plants and animals of the nature reserve. The exhibition is available only during this season, which may be important when planning your visit.
Cycling Tours, Guided Tours and Pilgrimage
The 25-kilometre Heiliges Meer cycling tour passes through Hopsten, the Aabauernschaft, the nature reserve and the Staden farming community. The route thus connects several of the places and landscapes mentioned in a single tour. Another option is the St. Anna Route, a circular route through the area of the municipality of Hopsten and the town of Hörstel. It leads to the Heiliges Meer nature reserve, along the Mittelland Canal and to Lake Hertha, as well as through the Ostenwald forest to the St. Anna pilgrimage chapel in the Breischen farming community in Hopsten.
If you would like to explore Heiliges Meer on a guided tour, you can arrange a date with the Hopsten local history association. Tours of the legendary Heiliges Meer take place by prior appointment; you can reach the association by phone on 05458 1386. Each year in August, many worshippers make a pilgrimage to the St. Anna pilgrimage chapel at Breischen. If you are planning your trip for this time, check the local schedule.
Another activity is the Hopsten Tödden Diploma: this entertaining programme offers a playful introduction to Hopsten’s Tödden history and culminates in a Tödden Diploma after participants pass the test. It is aimed mainly at groups and clubs. When choosing what to explore on your trip, you can weigh up local history, the seasonal exhibition, guided visits and the various cycling routes.
Discover more destinations: Greven, Ladbergen, Mettingen, Metelen, Saerbeck, Emsdetten, Steinfurt, Lengerich
Go to the regional travel overview: Steinfurt.
