The history of Obernkirchen is closely bound up with the monastery and later Stift Obernkirchen. The settlement which lay at the foot of the monastery received the right to hold markets in 1181, but not until 1615 did it receive its town charter. During the following Thirty Years War (1616-1648), the town was repeatedly occupied and plundered, which led to great poverty and hardship. Obernkirchen was and is still famous for its sandstone and as a centre of glass manufacturing. Today the town has about 9,000 inhabitants.

Bückeberg 2

In 2007 and 2008, dinosaur tracks were found in the sandstone quarries near Obernkirchen. The tracks are from the Early Cretaceous period, so they are about 140 to 145 million years old. Setting off from the JBF-Centre on the Bückeberg, you can follow the tracks and go on a discovery tour on your own. Following the nature trail, which is 4.6 kilometres long with nine stations, you and your children are informed about exciting topics from the fields of nature, forests, and quarries but, of course, also about the dinosaurs that roamed about this area in the past.

Bergamtstr. 12

Today's Protestant chapter of canonesses was first officially mentioned in 1167 as an Augustinian nunnery. In the 16th century, even though the nuns objected so strongly to the Reformation, the nunnery was converted into a convent. The collegiate church St. Marien (St. Mary's) has always been the spiritual centre of the monastery and convent. But the other picturesque convent buildings, which have been erected since the 16th century, are also well worth seeing from the outside.

Kirchplatz 5

The museum is in a neo-classical, former school building near the church square, which is framed by an ensemble of half-timbered houses. The museum presents the history of Obernkirchen as an important industrial site, showing how the famous sandstone quarry in the Bückeberg and the production of glass determined the inhabitants' working and living conditions. Open on Wednesdays and Sundays from 3pm until 6pm. No fees are charged.

Startpunkt (starting point): Kirchplatz

Since 1988 triennial International Sculpture Symposia have been held, in the course of which sculptors from all over the world have made art with the famous sandstone. Today, as a result, a sculpture trail presents a variety of works of art, reflecting the richness of diversity in this field. In order to discover the fascination of sandstone sculpture, set off at the church square and walk along the road "An der Stiftsmauer" until you reach Sculptors' Square.