Art & Culture
Land. Love. Way of life.
Land. Love. Lifestyle. - That is what the Schmallenberger Sauerland stands for. The latter is made clear, among other things, by the lively art and cultural scene of our region. A wide variety of artists, different perspectives, galleries worth seeing, diverse cultural offers. But see for yourself.
ForestSculpturesWalk
Nature meets art
The Forest Sculpture Trail between Schmallenberg and Bad Berleburg, which is unique in Germany, takes you to 11 extraordinary sculptures and art installations over a total of 23 km.
They all combine two themes: The often contradictory connection between man and nature on the one hand and the development of the two neighbouring regions Wittgenstein and Sauerland on the other. For centuries they have been separated by a territorial, linguistic, cultural and confessional border, which is now being crossed by means of art.
Spiritual Summer
Ways to live
People of all denominations go in search of deceleration, silence and reflection on the essential. The Spiritual Summer offers opportunities for all this with up to 300 events during the summer months at unusual, spiritual places throughout South Westphalia
Within and outside of religious communities, events offer space for spiritual relaxation, for conversation and encounters and thus a temporary home. Music, meditation, art projects, hiking, pilgrimage, climbing, dance, cabaret, talks, lectures and much more allow spiritual experience beyond established formats
When headwinds and inclines dampen your spirits, the push of a button can change everything. It switches on a quiet, environmentally friendly electric motor that intervenes with support, depending on how steep the incline is and how much assistance you have set. E-bikes have conquered cycling tourism in the land of a thousand mountains. Joint cycling trips of differently trained people thus become a pleasurable, nature-oriented vacation experience for everyone. Try it out for yourself. E-biking is really easy and great fun!
Book your e-bike directly online here!
For more than 35 years the parish church St. Peter and Paul in Wormbach has been the stage for brilliant organ concerts, masterly chamber music and choral symphonic sounds. Always in the summer months, ten first-class classical concerts with different focal points are presented. And always organ, string instruments and voices play a major role in them - embedded in the special atmosphere of the original parish of the Sauerland, St. Peter and Paul Wormbach.
Music Education Centre South Westphalia
Central contact point for music
A large orchestra hall, a chamber music hall, a choir hall and 10 impressive rehearsal rooms: the newly built music education centre in Bad Fredeburg sets standards for musicians far beyond the region. Acoustically optimized rooms and a complete orchestra and band instrumentation in combination with the adjoining hotel and youth guest facilities create optimal rehearsal conditions for orchestras, choirs or groups. The musicians often let music lovers share their passion and present their art in public concerts. The large halls also host numerous guest performances.
art house old mill
A home for the arts
Art has found its home in Schmallenberg at this historically significant site, the "lower mill" from the 14th century. Changing exhibitions of national and international artists inspire the visitors year after year. Various disciplines are presented, from painting, drawing, sculpture and photography to new media, textiles, room installations and performance. In addition, readings by renowned writers and art workshops with renowned lecturers make the Kunsthaus a cultural centre.
In the rooms of the Lenne Studio in the Lennepark Schmallenberg, the SommerAkademie am Rothaarsteig offers workshops and seminars on all aspects of art. Renowned lecturers and artists show ways to realise one's own artistic talents. You would like to inspire for things that are slumbering in you and are expressed if you give them space and time.
The youth art school promotes children and young people in their individual abilities, skills and talents. Teaching art and trying out their own creative abilities are at the top of the agenda in the workshops. A wide variety of workshops with a maximum of 10 participants, led by professional instructors, provide direct access to art and creative activity.
South Westphalian Gallery
Art from the home region of South Westphalia with a focus on the 19th century to the present is presented by the Südwestfälische Galerie in Holthausen. It is the only institution in the Sauerland region to have a unique art collection with approximately 7,000 paintings, graphics and sculptures. Local artists such as Paul Hermann Schoedder, Hinrich Grauenhorst and Carl Siebert are among many others represented in the collection. The gallery is affiliated to the Westphalian Slate Mining and Local History Museum in Holthausen.
In the "Waldemai", in the beautiful Sorpe Valley, you will find an extraordinary sculpture park, where Lothar and Gisela Klute give their works of art a distinctive setting. Sophisticated unique pieces of wrought bronze such as fountains, sculptures or works of art in combination with lead crystal glass and much more is waiting to be discovered.
In an imposing factory building near Oberkirchen, the Schütte blacksmith's workshop and the adjacent blacksmith café are housed. Bronze, copper and wrought iron are processed here into filigree and detailed works of art, which you can admire in the large exhibition and in the outdoor area and purchase for your own garden.
At Martin Vollmert in Schmallenberg glass becomes a work of art. For more than 25 years he has been active in the glass craft and produces historical windows or new constructions according to his own and external designs. In his gallery attached to the workshop you will find various glass objects for sale
From bronze, iron and lead crystal glass, Uwe Föster's forge workshop creates art objects of a special kind. Small and large objects, which can decorate house and garden, can be found in the more than 380 sqm large exhibition, directly at the workshop. Commissioned works according to customer wishes are also manufactured - individually and with the highest care.
Churches in the Schmallenberg Sauerland
Numerous traces of faith can be found in the villages of the Schmallenberger Sauerland. Impressive churches can be found in many places; also on the way you will come across wayside crosses, wayside shrines and small chapels. They were all built by the people of the region and are still maintained and preserved today.
Curtain up!
Cultural offerings in the region
The Cultural Association Schmallenberg and the Art Association Pro Forma Eslohe enable year after year varied cultural offers in our region. Theatre, cabaret, readings or concerts enrich the offer for locals and guests.
Schmallenberger Sauerland Cultural Association Art Association Pro Forma Eslohe e.V.