Brückenheiliger Johannes Nepomuk

1:20 h
3.65 km
2 m
2 m
77 m
79 m
2 m
Start: St. Johannes Baptist parish church, Rügenstraße 2 (north side)
Destination: Parish Church of St. John the Baptist

The circular route described here through the town, via the Johannesweg and along the Rietberger Emsniederung nature reserve is attractive at any time of year, has an idyllic landscape and can be covered alone, in a group, on foot or by bike, with or without a guide.

The hiking trail is part of the traditional Rietberg Nepomuk procession. Johannes Nepomuk, nicknamed the "bridge saint", is venerated as the patron saint of confessors and priests, boatmen, raftsmen and millers. The earliest evidence of the Rietberg procession dates back to 1726.

The route leads along Rathausstraße towards the south gate, past the Ribérac fountain, a symbol of the Franco-German partnership between Rietberg and Ribérac in south-west France.

The path continues along the Johannesweg, where seven wayside shrines to the life and death of St. John Nepomuk have been erected - a unique depiction worldwide - now you reach St. John's Chapel and the statue of St. John Nepomuk.

The way back to the starting point leads along the Ems; an observation tower gives you a magnificent view over the former fish ponds on the opposite bank - a nature reserve and part of the European bird sanctuary, where a diverse bird life can be found.

Further on, the path leads through the monastery garden, where you can view and study the sculptures by artist Dr. Wilfried Koch.

Within the historic town center, we recommend a visit to the monastery church, the Heimathaus and the parish church as well as the surrounding areas.

Start

St. Johannes Baptist parish church, Rügenstraße 2 (north side)

Katholische Pfarrkirche St. Johannes Baptist

Church

Johanneskapelle

Church

Permanently closed

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Directions

North side of the parish church - around the town hall onto Rathausstraße heading south - at the traffic circle take the first exit onto Mastholter Straße - after approx. 200 m left into Johannesweg - past the cemetery chapel - keep right - continue along Johannesweg to the chapel - then back to the "Fleige-cross" - then turn right along the small footpath towards Delbrücker Straße - cross this road - follow the path behind the houses to the Ems - continue left between the meadows and the river - at the end of the Emsweg, turn right over the double bridge - continue between the outdoor pool and Gartenschaupark - cross the pedestrian lights at Torfweg - onto "Auf der Bleiche" - after 30 m, turn left into the former monastery garden - leave this on the opposite side - keep right on Klosterstraße - past the monastery church and home house - then left onto "Bolzenmarkt" - past the Rietberg fountain - back to the starting point.fountain back to the starting point.

Tour information

Familiy-Friendly
Loop Road
Stop at an Inn
Suitable for Pushchair

Directions & Parking facilities

Coming from the A2, take the Rheda-Wiedenbrück exit and follow the B64 to Rietberg. If you are coming from the A44, take the A33 towards Paderborn and take the Delbrück/Rietberg exit. From there, continue on the B64 to Rietberg.

You will find a large parking lot on Torfweg, opposite the Gartenschaupark, Mitte entrance.

You can reach Rietberg from Gütersloh station with bus line 77, from Rheda-Wiedenbrück station with line 76 and from Lippstadt station with line 80.

Always know what's running: The smart number for buses and trains in NRW: 01806 504030 (20 cents/connection from landlines and a maximum of 60 cents/connection from mobile networks.)

Additional information

You can find this and many other pilgrimage routes in the Archdiocese of Paderborn on the homepage http://www.orte-verbinden.de. There you will also find a lot more information on the subject of "Bridge Saint John Nepomuk".

Author

Marieluise Brockschnieder

Organization

Stadt Rietberg

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

From May to September, mass is celebrated in the chapel on Tuesdays at 7 pm.

Place of interest