Bauernburg Ottenhausen
Medieval refuge castle in Steinheim-Ottenhausen; the local history museum of the local Heimatverein is currently being modernized and redesigned.
About the museum
The Bauernburg in Ottenhausen, a district of Steinheim in the Höxter district, was probably built around 1300. The two-story rubble-stone house, with walls about one meter thick and narrow slit windows, served the villagers as a storehouse and in times of war as a place of refuge. Who had the complex built is not recorded. The building originally probably had another story.
In the 1980s the listed building had badly deteriorated. The Heimatverein Ottenhausen, founded in 1981, restored it in 1981/82 with its own labor and later set up a small local history museum on the upper floor. Until 2019 the castle was also used for catering.
Since 2023, a comprehensive modernization with new stairs, building services, and sanitary facilities has been under way with funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The museum is also being redesigned in the process: the future permanent exhibition will be devoted to the theme of flight and explain the function and construction of the refuge castle. In the cellar the association already operates an escape room.
Highlights
- Refuge castle from around 1300
- Rubble-stone walls a meter thick with slit windows
- New permanent exhibition on the theme of flight in preparation
- Escape room in the cellar
Permanent exhibitions
- Flucht – Die Bauernburg als Schutzburg – New permanent exhibition on the function and construction of the refuge castle and on the theme of flight; the opening has been announced, a date is still pending.
- Operated by
- Heimatverein Ottenhausen e.V.
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A wheelchair-accessible entrance via the memorial is under construction.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking lot Teichwiese at the fire station, Lange Straße 55; keep the fire department access clear and, if possible, park at the back on the gravel.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
