Former Monastery Asbeke

Set on a windswept ridge between Loccum and Rehburg lie the carefully restored foundations of a remarkable site – the former Asbeke monastery. When farmers uncovered shaped sandstone blocks during ploughing in the 1970s, the discovery sparked curiosity about what hidden history rested beneath the soil. Archaeological excavations soon revealed ancient stone foundations whose origins puzzled researchers at first. Through the study of old chronicles, historians eventually traced the site back to the long-lost settlement of Esbecke, once a small but important religious centre in the region. In the 11th century, the Archbishop of Bremen sought additional stone for the completion of Bremen Cathedral. A nearby quarry near the vanished village of Asbeke offered exactly what was needed, yet the land belonged to the neighbouring diocese of Minden. To secure access, the archbishop founded a small collegiate church around 1050 AD – ostensibly for divine purposes but with strategic intent. However, legend has it that the newly built church collapsed during its consecration, abruptly ending the ambitious project. The quarry, though, continued to be used into the late Middle Ages. Today, the visible sandstone outlines mark the foundations of this once mysterious complex, inviting visitors to imagine the events that shaped the area nearly a millennium ago. Artifacts uncovered during the excavations are displayed in the Rehburg local museum. The site can be reached only on foot or by bicycle, making the journey itself a peaceful immersion into the region’s cultural landscape.