Museum Kloster Bentlage

About the museum

Kloster Bentlage in Rheine was founded in 1437 by Crosier brothers from Cologne and Wuppertal. The large four-winged complex was built starting in 1463; around 1500, some 50 monks lived there. Swedish troops set the monastery on fire in 1647, and reconstruction was completed in 1662. Monastic life ended with the secularization in 1803.

The complex then became the seat of the Principality of Rheina-Wolbeck and later a noble estate ("Schloss Bentlage"), which remained in family ownership until 1978. During remodeling, the church was demolished around 1828, which turned the four-winged complex into today's three-winged layout. Today the monastery serves as a cultural venue for the town of Rheine.

In the oldest rooms of the complex, the museum presents its collection on monastery history, with testimony of the Crosiers, including sandstone altars from around 1500 and apostle figures by the Westphalian sculptor Heinrich Brabender. The highlights are two late medieval relic gardens. The Westphalian Gallery Bentlage presents loans from the LWL Museum of Art and Culture, including works by Otto Modersohn, August Macke and Josef Albers.

Highlights

• Two late medieval relic gardens
• Sandstone altars from around 1500
• Apostle figures by Heinrich Brabender
• Westphalian Gallery with works by Macke, Modersohn and Albers
• Crosier monastery in a nature reserve on the Ems

Permanent exhibitions

• Sammlung zur Klostergeschichte – Testimony of the Crosiers with medieval art treasures and two relic gardens, in the oldest rooms of the monastery complex.
• Westfälische Galerie Bentlage – Loans from the LWL Museum of Art and Culture with works of Westphalian modernism, such as by Modersohn, Macke, Albers and Schumacher.

Operated by

Stadtkultur Rheine (Museen der Stadt Rheine)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum and the exhibitions is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The monastery is certified under "Reisen für Alle" and is largely barrier-free; some rooms have high threshold sills due to the historic building fabric, and mobile ramps are available. Wheelchair users and people with limited mobility can request a permit to drive up to the monastery (tel. +49 5971 918400); suitable parking spaces are next to the monastery. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are in the west wing and in the courtyard beside the monastery.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Navigation destination according to the website: "Weihbischoff-d´Alhaus-Str.", 48431 Rheine. For events in the cultural program, a free shuttle bus runs between the Saline parking lot and the monastery. The monastery lies on several long-distance cycle routes; there is an e-bike charging point at the monastery and bikes for rent at the station.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Klostercafé Bentlage (March to October Tue–Sat 14:00–18:00, Sun/public holidays 11:00–18:00; November to February Wed–Sun 13:00–17:00; closed Mondays), with a terrace by the orchard meadow.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 50 guests.

The Salzsiedehaus (salt-boiling house) and barn are fully booked for 2026 and will no longer be available for private hire from 2027. The Remise (carriage house, about 50 people) can be rented for celebrations through the Klostercafé; civil weddings and seminar rooms are also offered.

Plan your visit