In Losser, industrial history and geology meet cultural sites and landscapes. One special feature is Steenfabriek De Werklust: here, the brickmaking process is preserved, from the clay pit and the ring kiln to the 45-metre-high chimney. A church dating from the early 20th century, a geology museum and a historic tower also tell very different stories about the town.
Cultural History and Brickmaking
Steenfabriek De Werklust is a Rijksmonument, a listed national heritage site. Its preserved sequence of stages shows the steps involved in brickmaking, from extracting the clay to firing it in the ring kiln and using the chimney. This offers a different way of exploring Losser’s history from a visit to the Martinustoren, the freestanding tower with a saddleback roof belonging to the demolished St Martin’s Church. It dates from around 1500. The Martinustoren can be climbed as part of a guided visit; the stated price is €2.50 per person. Check before your trip whether this option is available.
The Heilige Maria Geboortekerk offers its own historical perspective: it was built in 1901 and solemnly consecrated on 3 June 1902 by Archbishop Mgr. Van de Wetering of Utrecht. The parish park De Drie Bogen, which opened beside the church in 2014, forms a notable ensemble with the church and the adjacent cemetery. In the centre of Losser, the Dorpsbleek and the Bleekwachtershuisje also belong together as a unique monument. Those interested in historic farmsteads and gardens can visit the cultural park Erve Kraesgenberg, with its reconstructed main farmstead, historic outbuildings, rose garden and herb garden.
Fossils and Geology
Geologiemuseum Losser manages and displays fossils from the municipality. It is housed in the Hengelhoes, a 17th-century yeoman’s house in the centre of Losser. This brings the geological finds together with a historic building.
Another geological highlight is the Staringgroeve in the village of Losser. It was established as a memorial to the Dutch geologist W. C. H. Staring (1808–1877), for geological research and for collecting fossils. More than three metres of Losser sandstone are exposed there. The fossil-rich sandstone dates from the Lower Cretaceous, specifically the Hauterivian, and formally belongs to the Gildehaus Sandstone Formation. These details give the Staringgroeve a different profile from the museum: here, the focus is on the geological layers and the sandstone itself, while the museum focuses on fossils from the municipality.
Events and Guided Explorations
At the Bruegheliaans Festijn, held every August, a deserving resident of Losser or an association is awarded the honorary title of Voetstapper. Their footprint is immortalised on the Brueghelpad. Openluchttheater Brilmansdennen offers a varied cultural programme; as programme details may change, check with the theatre before you travel.
If you would rather discover Losser on a guided walk, the Dorpswandeling Losser takes about an hour and a half. Check in advance whether the tour is available on your chosen date. Another way to explore the area is the “Places of Remembrance” cycling route from Losser. The version updated in 2025 can be followed using the free RouteYou navigation app or a written route description.
Cycling and Landscape
For a longer ride, route information published in 2024 gives the Laga cycling route as 37 kilometres long. It passes through Losser, Glane, Overdinkel, Gronau and De Lutte. The route follows the renewed Lagapad and returns via the “new” Smokkelpad. Check the route conditions before setting off. By contrast, the “Places of Remembrance” route focuses on the choice between navigating with an app and following a written description.
Zandbergen is an extensive woodland area between Losser and the German border. Its diverse flora and fauna accompany opportunities for walking and cycling. For a view of the surrounding area, the De Oelemars observation tower offers a 360-degree panorama from a height of 24 metres. You can therefore choose different highlights when planning your trip: a guided Dorpswandeling with an approximate duration, a cycling route with a stated distance, or time in woodland rich in nature.
Discover more destinations: Overdinkel, De Lutte, Beuningen.
Return to the main travel overview: Losser.
