Koptisches Museum

About the museum

The museum consists of the permanent exhibitions in the Coptic Orthodox Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Mauritius in Höxter-Brenkhausen. The monastery was founded around 1240 and was first inhabited by Cistercian nuns, later by Benedictine nuns. After secularization in the 19th century, it stood empty for a long time and fell into disrepair, until the Coptic Orthodox Church acquired it in 1993. Since then, under Metropolitan Anba Damian, the complex has been restored according to historic preservation guidelines.

A Bible exhibition has been on the second floor of the west wing since 2004. The former Minden cathedral sexton Josef Jostwerner donated more than 500 Bibles, which can be seen in over 50 languages, as picture Bibles and children's Bibles, and as historical and illustrated editions. In 2009, the miniature exhibition "Das Lied der Steine" was added, with cardboard models of famous churches that the physician Hans-Martin Möhler had built over 25 years.

To mark the monastery's anniversary, the woodcarver Gunter Schmidt-Riedig donated 50 sculptures; on December 22, 2013, Pope Tawadros II consecrated the monastery chapel and opened this permanent exhibition. Since 2016, wall paintings on Egyptian and Coptic themes have been created in the north wing under the direction of Egyptologist Daniela Rutica. They are complemented by a photo exhibition on the Coptic Church in Egypt and, since 2025, a multimedia room on the Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt.

Highlights

• 50 wooden sculptures by Gunter Schmidt-Riedig ("Der Mensch begegnet seinem Engel")
• Bible exhibition with over 500 Bibles in more than 50 languages
• Egyptian-themed rooms with wall paintings in natural pigments
• Multimedia room on the Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt
• Church miniatures "Das Lied der Steine"
• Monastery chapels with wall paintings in Coptic style

Permanent exhibitions

• Holzskulpturen-Ausstellung „Der Mensch begegnet seinem Engel“ – 50 wooden sculptures by the sculptor and deacon Gunter Schmidt-Riedig, donated to the monastery and accompanied by guided tours as a testimony to lived ecumenism.
• Bibelausstellung – Since 2004, the second floor of the west wing has shown Bibles in more than 50 languages, picture and children's Bibles, historical and illustrated editions, and holy scriptures of other religions.
• Ägyptische Themen-Räume – Since 2016, each room in the north wing has been devoted to an Egyptian or Coptic theme. The wall paintings are made with natural pigments, plus a photo exhibition and a multimedia room on the Flight of the Holy Family.

Operated by

Koptisch-Orthodoxe Kirche in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland e. V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission and guided tours are free; donations are welcome.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car via the B 239 (Höxter–Detmold). After the Brenkhausen village sign, turn into the village and follow Mühlenstraße to the monastery.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Monastery shop with crosses, icons, Egyptian handicrafts, spices, and literature on the Coptic Church (daily 08:00–20:00). The St. Mark restaurant is open only to registered groups and private events (à la carte temporarily discontinued). Meals and coffee with cake are available at the monastery by prior registration.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Two meeting rooms on the upper floor of the west wing (one with a permanently installed projector) and a media room; celebrations and weddings in several function rooms, in the dining hall (80 seats), and in the cloister (for another 120 guests). Inquiries by email or by phone at 05271 18905.

Plan your visit