Grafschaft Bentheim - a County to discover!

We guarantee you won't be bored in the Grafschaft (County) Bentheim. Whatever the weather, by sunshine or rain shower, you'll soon have left the stresses of everyday life behind! By bike on the "Fietsen" bike tour or the cross-border "kunstwegen“ cycle route, enjoying regional specialities from the "Grafschafter Landservice" or with the whole family in Nordhorn Zoo. Discover a beautiful piece of Niedersachsen.

Bentheim Castle

Bentheim Castle was first mentioned in official documents in the year 1116 and is nowadays the symbol of Bad Bentheim. It is considered one of the oldest and most impressive castle sites in northwest Germany. According to legend, a fortification was erected on the exact site of the modern castle by Drusus, stepson of the roman emperor Augustus. The steep climb up to the castle is well worth it for the views of the imposing rock formations, out of which the palace looms steeply skywards. After scaling the steps to the defensive wall, you are rewarded with a superb view over the Bentheimer forest and the landscape beyond. In the interior of the castle, there is a museum of alchemy and a stone crucifix, the "Lord God of Bentheim", considered emblematic for the county, is one of the oldest monuments bearing witness to Christian life in the region.

"Grafschafter Fietsen Tour" for Cyclists

Discover the Grafschaft Bentheim with the "Fietse" (the Low German word for a bicycle). Because the county is situated directly on the border with the Netherlands, the term "Fietse" is also common here. Experience the countryside and get to know its people on the 550 kilometer Fietsen tour through the region. There are sites of historical interest on the route, which runs through Gildehaus, Schüttorf and Bad Bentheim, where even today, the imposing castle is home to a prince. Fans of contemporary art will enjoy the cross-border "kunstwegen" (for the sake of art) tour between Nordhorn and Zwolle in the Netherlands. And for the experience of undiluted nature, the stretches through the county are just perfect - cycle along idyllic canals and juniper groves, through heathland, moorland and woods. But you don't have to cycle all week long. 16 circular routes branch off from the main route, which, at between 25 and 50 kilometer in length, are equally suitable for day trips.

kunstwegen – Open Air Art

Enjoy art open air! In addition to more than 50 sculptures and installations from the last years, you will find 15 new projects which are combined into a transborder cycle and hiking route. The route has a length of 132 kilometers and runs from Nordhorn into the Netherlands. Guided tours open you up fast to the art and their charming environment. Select between round tours of an hour, half a day or a whole day up to a complete weekend. Individual tours are offered to school classes.

The Vechtesonne - a Solar-Powered Passenger Ship

Get a duck's eye view of the waterways of Nordhorn whilst travelling by means of environmentally friendly solar power - that's the idea behind the passenger ship "Vechtesonne“. The catamaran is powered exclusively by solar energy. The boat takes passengers on a variety of tours of the town's waterways, where they can enjoy a mixture of relaxation and the experience of nature. The Vechtesonne's construction and drive type make her unique in Niedersachsen. In 2002 the boat won first prize in the "Impulse Niedersachsen" competition. The jury were particularly impressed by the unusual idea of coupling a motor driven boat with a very low draught, and therefore useable almost anywhere, with a solar-powered drive mechanism.

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