In 2024, the Altenberg Monastery Landscape was awarded the European Heritage Label together with 16 other monastery landscapes in 5 European countries.

To mark the award of the European Heritage Label to the Altenberg monastery landscape, the Altenberg Beautification and Cultural Association (VKA), together with the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the municipality of Odenthal, is organizing a monastery market that reflects the life, work and cuisine of the Cistercians and at the same time provides entertainment for young and old.

On the last weekend of the Easter holidays, 26 and 27 April 2025, a small market with artisanal and regional products as well as culinary, cultural and children’s programs will take place at Altenberg Cathedral. There will also be guided tours of Altenberg and the monastery landscape.

Program
Monastery market:
Saturday 13:00 -19:00 & Sunday 10:00 -18:00 – A diverse range of exhibitors from the craft sector, region and monastery

Musical stage program:
Saturday
17:00 – “Small is beautiful”

Sunday
12:00 – “Loup & Hecker”
15:30 – “De Knippschaff” with ex-Bläck Fööss Bömmel Lückerath and Kafi Biermann

Music in the cathedral:
Sunday
2:30 pm – Sacred music

Guided tours:
Saturday
11:00 a.m. – Cathedral tour – meeting point in front of the cathedral portal
2:00 p.m. – Cathedral tour for children on the animals in Altenberg Cathedral with Pastor Posche – meeting point in front of the cathedral portal
14:00 pm – “Streuobst – Klösterliches Erbe der Zisterzienser” with tasting – LuGeV (guided tours 7€) – meeting point Baroque archway opposite Altenberg Cathedral
3:00 pm – Exploring the Altenberg monastery landscape Xandra Wildung, Head of European Heritage Site – meeting point in front of the cathedral portal

Sunday
14:00 – “Brewing art of the Cistercians” with tasting LuGeV (guided tours 7€) – meeting point Baroque archway opposite Altenberg Cathedral
16:00 – Cathedral tour with Pastor Taxacher – meeting point in front of the cathedral portal

Saturday and Sunday – covered wagon and carriage ride around Altenberg all day

Children’s program:
Saturday 14:00 – Cathedral tour to the animals in the cathedral with Pastor Posche – meeting point in front of the cathedral portal
Saturday and Sunday – Discover the cultural and monastery landscape all day – Cisterscapes
The Cistercians and the water – The Sommelière
Paper making and water mill construction – paper mill Alte Dombach
Small petting zoo with donkeys and farm animals

Culinary delights:
Saturday 13:00 – 21:00 & Sun 10:00 – 19:00 – Gastronomic offer in the spirit of the Cistercian culinary heritage