Museum im Kloster

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The building belonged to the Cistercian convent of St. Marien from 1231 to 1787, one of the wealthiest women's monasteries in northwestern Germany. In the 19th century, the Hanoverian district office and later the Prussian district administration were housed here, until the administration moved to a new district house in 1912. In 1924, district administrator (Landrat) Hermann Rothert founded the Kreismuseum Bersenbrück in the former abbess's wing and assembled a high-quality collection of regional material culture. After the building passed to the Landkreis Osnabrück in 1972, it was called "Museum des Landkreises Osnabrück."

Due to major structural damage to the foundation, masonry and roof, the house was comprehensively renovated between 2016 and 2018, and a newer part of the building was demolished. In late October 2018, it reopened as the "Museum im Kloster," with a newly designed permanent exhibition on regional history.

The exhibition follows the building's history from 1231 to 1924 and introduces three people who worked here: Abbess Dorothea Sophia von Moltke, district bailiff (Amtmann) Johann Wilhelm Gerhard Niemeyer, and district administrator Rothert. Special features include the Artland farmhouse hall (Diele), moved here in 1924 to the upper floor, and a "treasure room" (Schatzkammer) with the finest pieces from the old district collection.

Highlights

• History of the Osnabrück Nordland from 1231 to 1924, told through the building's history
• Three museum companions: the abbess, the bailiff and the district administrator
• Artland farmhouse hall on the upper floor
• Treasure room with highlights of the old district collection
• Explorer tour with owl Sophia for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Geschichte in der Hauptrolle – The permanent exhibition follows the history of the Nordland region and the monastery building, with three historical figures as companions: the abbess, the bailiff and the district administrator.
• Artländer Bauernhofdiele – The hall, moved to the upper floor in 1924, shows the everyday world of farmers dependent on the monastery and has been part of the museum since it was founded.

Founded

1924

Operated by

Landkreis Osnabrück

Admission & discounts

Free admission: every first Saturday of the month

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

Ramp at the museum entrance and step-free paving from the market square through the monastery gate; seating in the exhibition rooms; accessible parking space in front of the building.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children can explore the museum on their own with the "Explorer Tour with Owl Sophia" (a bag with materials and a children's booklet, free of charge at the ticket desk). Children's birthday parties with a children's tour or workshop (for ages 5 or 8 and up, up to 10 children, €15 to €30) should be requested at least four weeks in advance. The house has a play corner and a baby changing room.

Getting there & parking

Access via the B68 or B214 into the town center of Bersenbrück; the museum is behind the monastery gate on the market square, right next to St. Vincentius Church (Stiftshof 4).

Amenities & dining

• Café

Small café in the museum; a café room is available for children's birthday parties.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit