Osnabrück offers different ways to explore culture, city history and nature. When looking for a hotel in Osnabrück, it can therefore help to start by asking which themes you want to shape your stay: the sites of the Peace of Westphalia, museums and historic buildings, or the habitats of the Botanical Garden and the zoo.
The history of peace, museums and cityscape
Along with Münster, the Peace Hall in the historic Town Hall was one of the two sites of the Peace of Westphalia. The peace treaties that ended the Thirty Years’ War were signed here in Osnabrück. St. Mary’s Church offers another perspective on the negotiations: in 1643, Swedish and Danish envoys met there for confidential talks. The secret location was intended to protect them from being observed by spies.
The museums also focus on different subjects. The Museumsquartier brings together four institutions from different periods. The Felix Nussbaum House holds the world’s largest collection of works by the painter Felix Nussbaum. The former customs house, Akzisehaus, hosts changing small exhibitions, readings, concerts, talks and presentations. The Villa_ is a space for debate where ideas for strengthening democracy take shape.
Osnabrück Cathedral, St. Peter’s, is also worth a visit for a look at the city’s architectural history: its present-day appearance is largely the result of building work carried out by Bishop Adolf of Tecklenburg in the 13th century. The Old Town stretches from Heger Tor via the Market Square to Hasestraße. Around thirty stone buildings have been preserved there; most are tucked away in a second row or in courtyards. In this way, prominent sites from the history of peace stand alongside less conspicuous traces of the city’s architectural history.
The Botanical Garden and green themes
The Botanical Garden of the University of Osnabrück opened in 1984 and is located in two former quarries on Westerberg. In the second, more natural quarry, native plants and animals are reclaiming this urban habitat. The rainforest greenhouse presents a section of the lowland rainforest of the Amazon Basin. The garden thus offers different points of entry if you would like to focus on plants, habitats and ecological connections.
The Green School offers guided tours and activity programmes focused on education for sustainable development; the availability of individual programmes may vary. The themed offerings around food and enjoyment also take different approaches. These include “The Wonder of Mocha – Following the Trail of Coffee,” “Food of the Gods – From Cocoa Tree to Chocolate,” and “We’ve Got a Salad – Fruit from the Tropics and Subtropics.” The programmes combine an informative tour with an active, enjoyable hands-on session. Check in advance which offerings are taking place when you visit.
Osnabrück Zoo: habitats and discoveries
Osnabrück Zoo covers around 23.5 hectares and is home to more than 2,600 animals from around 290 species in naturally designed habitats. Twelve themed worlds take visitors through different continents and habitats. Three playgrounds and a petting area round out the offerings. As facilities may change, it is a good idea to check the latest visitor information before your visit.
The Underground Zoo offers a special perspective, with an exploration tour through a dimly lit network of tunnels and an underground animal world. A medieval canal is modelled on a medieval sewer; the well is based on an archaeological find from central Osnabrück. The visit thus combines wildlife with an evocative historical setting, while the zoo’s twelve themed worlds turn the focus to different continents and habitats.
Which themes suit your stay?
If you would like to learn about historical developments through sites of negotiation, collections and buildings, the Peace Hall, St. Mary’s Church, the museums and the cathedral offer different starting points. If nature and habitats are more your focus, the Botanical Garden and zoo offer a range of themes. The Green School and garden programmes provide a separate opportunity to explore specific subjects in greater depth; check their availability in advance.
Discover more destinations: Melle, Hagen am Teutoburger Wald, Badbergen, Belm, Bramsche, Atter, Hasbergen, Ankum
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