Aschendorf

Aschendorf is an old settlement of the northern Emsland, recorded as Ascanthorp in a life of Saint Ludger. A series of wooden churches preceded the Romanesque stone church built around 1250. Politically the place passed to Münster in 1252, although it remained under the bishop of Osnabrück for ecclesiastical purposes for several centuries.

Münster's rulers built a castle south of Aschendorf to enforce their authority. Rebuilt as Nienhaus in 1340, it became the seat of their local officer, but remained a target during successive outbreaks of local resistance. The castle was destroyed in the Thirty Years' War. Franciscans settled in Aschendorf in 1680 and used stone from the ruined fortress in building their monastery. A great fire destroyed 54 houses in 1775 and badly damaged the monastery.