Grafschafter search for traces - On the trail of Bentheim gold

The city of Bad Bentheim is known for its high-quality sandstone, which is also called Bentheimer Gold due to its color (more information in the Sandstone Museum). Since the Middle Ages, the sandstone has been used for the construction of town halls, churches, manor houses, and other public buildings in Northern Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark. Significant buildings made of Bentheimer sandstone include not only Bentheim Castle but also the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, the theater and the Church of Our Lady in Antwerp, and the old town hall in Münster. According to popular belief, even the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York is made of Bentheimer Gold.
Since the 11th and 12th centuries, Bentheimer Gold has been mined in various quarries. At its peak, there were over 20 quarries here, and today you can still visit two active quarries. In Gildehaus, the beige sandstone is mined and used at the open-air theater in Bad Bentheim. It is another highlight on this route. In the summer, stage plays are offered here in a unique natural setting - directly in the former sandstone quarry. The French Gorge is located right next to the open-air theater. The name dates back to the 18th century when French troops besieged Bentheim Castle in 1795. According to stories, they camped in the hidden gorge near the castle, which is now called the French Gorge.
Note: Follow the blue signs!