The former Cistercian nunnery Gravenhorst was founded in 1256
Tourismus NRW e.V., The former Cistercian nunnery Gravenhorst was founded in 1256

DA, Kunsthaus Kloster Gravenhorst

Hörstel

Since 2004, the DA (Denk-Mal-Atelier) has been a production and communication center for contemporary art, art discourse and art education.

At the foot of the Teutoburg Forest, not far from the town of Hörstel, lies Gravenhorst Monastery, a former abbey of the Cistercian nuns. Surrounded by moors and orchards, the former convent with its church, convent buildings, mill and mill pond, bakery and brewery, imposing wall and historic bridges offers the image of an almost completely preserved convent complex: an absolute rarity in the northern part of Germany.

Contemporary art is presented within historic walls: a varied program of exhibitions, project grants, light, sound and garden art as well as cultural festivals and events attract numerous visitors to the DA, Kunsthaus Kloster Gravenhorst. The culinary offerings in the monastery's own Café Clara and a walk through the artistically designed green spaces outside round off the visitor experience and make the monastery an attractive destination.

Make yourself a culture pack!

Art to participate in and think about

Contemporary art within historic walls - the DA, Kunsthaus Kloster Gravenhorst epitomises this exciting combination.

  • The former Cistercian monastery Gravenhorst, founded in 1256 in the northern Münsterland region, is an impressive monument in the Westphalian monastery landscape. With the church, the convent buildings, the mill, the mill pond, the bakery and brewery and its moats, orchards and historic bridges, the convent complex at the foot of the Teutoburg Forest is now a lively art centre.
  • Contemporary art invites visitors to discover, participate and experience. In the DA you can create art, design art and experience art. Where the nuns once worked, dined and slept, exhibition and project spaces are now enlivened by art, music and action. Artists from the region exhibit as well as from all over Germany and beyond.
  • Art & enjoyment - DA outside! Have a picnic on the "Gravenhorster Blatt", lie under the "Himmelstisch" and watch the clouds travel, play in the "Kreis.Spiel.Garten", conjure up ephemeral water sculptures with the "Dialogfontäne", dance on the "dancefloor", try out sound stones, follow the instructions of the "Gravenhorster MALBUCH", walk through the "Labyrinth"... there are so many ways to experience art in the outdoor area.
  • Gravenhorst Monastery is an ideal stop on a beautiful cycle tour through the Münsterland region. Several cycle routes pass by the DA, Kunsthaus, including the Ibbenbürener Radelrunde, which runs along the Dortmund-Ems Canal and offers views of the western part of the Teutoburg Forest.
  • Finally, the CAFÉ CLARA is the perfect place for a short break on the sun terrace. If you want to take a longer break, you should stop off at the Meteora restaurant on the lake directly behind the monastery mill.
  • If you can't get enough of historical buildings, which are nowadays used as places of art and culture, you can take a trip to Bentlage Abbey in Rheine. It is one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in Westphalia and is only around 20 kilometres away.
  • Excursion tip: The NaturaGart in Ibbenbüren (approx. 12 km away) is a garden complex with ponds and lakes that is a sea of flowers from spring to autumn. You can observe sturgeons and rare kingfishers there and also find ideas for garden design. Special highlights: the world's largest artificial underwater park for divers and Germany's largest cold-water aquarium with sturgeons over two metres long.
  • Overnight tip: Hotel Mutter Bahr or Hotel zur Post Riesenbeck.

Important information about accessibility: certificates

  •  All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - partially accessible for people with walking disabilities".

    Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report. 

    • There is a marked parking lot for people with disabilities (parking space size: 310 cm x 400 cm).  
    • The path from the parking lot to the main entrance is 230 m long. It is easy to walk and drive on and has a maximum longitudinal gradient of 2% over a distance of 10 meters.  
    • The path from the main entrance to the side entrance is partially not easily accessible and has a maximum longitudinal gradient of 7 % over a distance of 6 m. The building is accessible by steps via the parking lot.  
    • The building is steplessly accessible via the side entrance.
    • Almost all rooms and facilities that can be used by guests and are elevated are stepless or accessible via an elevator. Exceptions: Stairs to the control room, stairs to the exhibition in the Remter and steps in the vaulted cellar.
    •  The elevator car is 109 cm x 147 cm.
    • All doors/passages that can be used by guests and are elevated are at least 90 cm wide. Exception: entrance to the control room is 80 cm wide. 
    • The cash register is 105 cm high.  
    • Exhibits/stations/objects and exhibit information are visible and legible in most cases while seated. 
    • Aids offered: mobile museum stools
    •  Guided tours are offered for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users. Advance reservation is required.  
    • The entire tour route is not stepless for wheelchair users. 
    • Mobile or fixed seating is available for people with walking disabilities to use during the tour. 

    Public toilet for people with disabilities  

    •  The manoeuvring spaces are:
      in front of the sink 130 cm x 139 cm; in front of the WC 310 cm x 123 cm;
      to the left of the WC 78 cm x 194 cm; to the right of the WC 87 cm x 194 cm.
    • There are grab rails to the left and right of the WC.
    • Both grab rails are flipped up. 
    •  The sink is wheelchair compatible. 
    • The mirror is visible in sitting and standing position.
    • There is a cord as an alarm trigger.
    Detailed information for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users

  •  All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - partially accessible for people with hearing impairment". 

    Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.  

    • There is no visually clearly perceptible alarm. 
    • An outgoing emergency call in the elevator is confirmed acoustically.  Alternatively, stairs are available. 
    • Information about the exhibits/objects is provided in writing. 
    • Events are also held in the large hall. There is an induction loop there.
    • There are no guided tours for people with hearing disabilities and deaf people. 
    Detailed information for people with hearing impairments and hearing loss

  •  Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.   

    • Assistance dogs may be brought into all relevant areas/rooms.  
    • External paths usually do not have a visually contrasting or tactile sidewalk boundary.  
    • The main entrance is visually contrasting.  
    • Nearly all elevated areas usable by guests are well lit, i.e., bright and glare-free. 
    • An outgoing emergency call in the elevator is confirmed acoustically. The stopping position is not announced by voice. Alternatively, stairs are provided. 
    • Stair treads are not visually contrasting. Stairs have handrails on both sides. 
    •  Exhibits/objects are generally well lit. 
    • Information about exhibits/objects is provided in writing; it is not visually contrasting. 
    • Specially made tactile tablets are available to visitors for the former monastery's "Trail of Unseen Things." 
    • There are no guided tours for visually impaired and blind people. 
    Detailed information for people with visual impairments and the blind

  •  Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.   

    • The name of the facility is clearly visible from the outside.  
    • The destinations of the paths are mostly within sight or there are path signs at a constantly visible distance. 
    • Information about the exhibits/objects is provided in writing, but not in plain language. 
    • No guided tours are offered for people with cognitive impairments. 
    Detailed information for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users

Important information at a glance

  • (01.01-31.12) On public holidays the opening hours of Sundays apply

    Open today
    Tuesday14:00 - 18:00
    Wednesday14:00 - 18:00
    Thursday14:00 - 18:00
    Friday14:00 - 18:00
    Saturday14:00 - 18:00
    Sunday11:00 - 18:00

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