Kloster Gravenhorst

About the museum

The convent was founded in 1256 by the knight Konrad von Brochterbeck and his wife Amalgarde and populated with Cistercian nuns; their daughter became the first abbess. The Gothic convent church was completed around 1300. Nuns lived here for more than five centuries, until the convent was dissolved in 1808 following secularization.

The complex then went through a variety of uses: first a machine works was set up in the buildings, followed later by, among other things, a sugar beet factory, a hunting lodge, a camp for forced laborers and prisoners of war, housing for refugees and finally a mushroom farm.

In 1986 a sponsoring association acquired the site, and in the late 1990s the Steinfurt district took over responsibility. After renovation between 2000 and 2004, DA, Kunsthaus Kloster Gravenhorst opened in May 2004. The name stands for "Denk-Mal-Atelier" (think-of-a-monument studio): contemporary art is meant to be created and experienced here in dialogue with the historic site.

Since 2005 the house has awarded a project grant for communicative art projects aimed at a broad regional audience. Besides exhibitions there is a historical presentation on the convent's history, art festivals, concerts and educational programs; the convent grounds are freely accessible at all times.

Highlights

• Convent complex from 1256 with Gothic church and preserved chapter house
• Contemporary art in a historic convent
• Project grant KunstKommunikation
• Tactile "Parcours der Nichtsehenswürdigkeiten"
• Freely accessible convent grounds and Café Clara

Permanent exhibitions

• Historische Präsentation – Insights into more than 750 years of the convent's eventful history, from Cistercian nuns' community to its present use for art.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Kreis Steinfurt

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Visiting the exhibitions is free. Payment on site (e.g., for workshops) by card or on invoice only, no cash.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Step-free access via the side entrance with doorbell; elevator to the exhibition rooms, mobile museum stools, accessible restroom. Induction loop for events in the hall. Tactile panels in the "Parcours der Nichtsehenswürdigkeiten", tours for people with disabilities by registration. Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

Art education workshops for children as well as theater tours for families.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 30, exit Hörstel.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café Clara: Tue–Fri 14:00–18:00, Sat, Sun and public holidays 10:00–18:00 (reduced in winter).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit