Sythen Castle

The autumn tournament from 28.08. to 30.08. at the Reken Riding and Driving Club is an atmospheric end to the show season. Visitors can look forward to three days of exciting equestrian sport in an autumnal atmosphere. Numerous dressage and show jumping competitions offer a variety of competitions for different ability levels - from dedicated young riders to experienced competition riders.

Riders and their horses present top sporting performances characterised by precision, harmony and fairness. The special atmosphere of the autumn tournament makes the event a popular meeting place for equestrian sports enthusiasts from the region.

Away from the showgrounds, there are also plenty of catering options. A wide range of food and drinks invites you to linger and makes the autumn tournament a successful experience for the whole family.

"Hail Agrippina!" will be the chant at the 2026 Roman Days in Haltern when the granddaughter of Emperor Augustus arrives. At her side are her husband Germanicus, the celebrated general, and her uncle Tiberius. In a large pompa, a festive procession, they enter the Roman camp at Aliso and celebrate the emperor's birthday with spectacular equestrian games at the LWL Roman Museum. On 29 and 30 August, fans of Roman antiquity from all over Germany will get their money's worth in Haltern am See. There were almost 16,000 in the record year 2024. Tickets are now available online.

"We are delighted that Agrippina, Germanicus and Tiberius, members of the imperial family themselves, will be honouring us with a visit for the first time," explains museum director Dr Josef Mühlenbrock. "The Roman historian Cassius Dio reports on equestrian games that were performed by Tiberius and Germanicus in 11 AD in honour of Emperor Augustus in Germania on the right bank of the Rhine," Mühlenbrock continues. Even before the participation of the highest-ranking Tiberius and the crowd favourite Germanicus, the presence of Agrippina was probably the highlight of the festivities for many spectators.

Events and military demonstrations such as these provided an opportunity to visualise the army's loyalty to the ruler and to publicly stage the military strength of the empire. They were a mixture of military exercise, tournament and theatre performance. The riders wore costly helmets with colourful feathers and masks, breastplates and shields, which were less suitable for battle than for display. They were used to stage mythical heroes or figures of the gods.

Such games also had a strong religious character. They could be dedicated to a god or - as here - to the emperor, elevating Augustus to the rank of a divinely protected ruler.

A hands-on Roman experience

Of course, the legionaries set up their tents on site again: they march in full armour and demonstrate not only the turtle formation, but also the penetrating power of a ballista, a Roman cannon. Bakers, potters, builders, blacksmiths, slingers and Teutons also present their crafts and offer their wares. There will even be a Roman water organ player giving samples of his skills.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the world of the Romans 2,000 years ago with numerous hands-on activities: from stroking a real mule and taking selfies in Roman clothing to making jewellery.

The Caribbean Night at Sythen's outdoor pool is already legendary. A unique backdrop is the ideal setting for one of the biggest parties in the village of Sythen and the main act of the festivities in our voluntary and privately run swimming paradise to finance the operation of the pool. Sometimes rhythmic swings, sometimes rocking sounds, a tropical Caribbean feeling, cool drinks (handmade by the GinFizzies), tasty food from the barbecue, hot sand and cool people - these are the ingredients for a great party under the stars. If that's not enough, there's plenty of time to soak up the live music and the whole feeling late into the evening at the night swim.

What do museums collect, and which objects make it into the exhibition? What remains hidden away in the storeroom?

Museums display only a small part of their collections. The majority is kept in storage, documented and rarely seen. The exhibition ‘The Value of Things’ turns the spotlight on these hidden holdings.

The objects selected have scarcely been shown to the public before. Everyday objects, agricultural tools and middle-class clothing tell of worlds of life and work beyond the castle’s aristocratic history. At the same time, they raise questions about collection practices, the attribution of meaning and museum selection processes: why are some things exhibited – and others not?

The Berlin-based collection photographers Volker Weinhold and Sebastian Köpcke have staged objects from the storage depot as still lifes for the exhibition. With their Renaissance-inspired aesthetic, the photographs lend the objects a new dignity.

Interactive stations bring curatorial decisions to life: visitors can create their own still lifes, take photographs or vote on the future location of selected objects. This fosters a dialogue about the value of objects and the stories they tell.

Admission: Included in the combined ticket for the outer and main castle

Zur Kajüte, Strandallee 6

The popular concert series by the lake continues.

Christian Zehren from the Rossini team has once again put together a mix of different musical styles. The programme includes both new and well-known bands.

The spectrum ranges from rock and oldies covers, Irish folk and rockabilly to singer-songwriters. There's something for your ears every Sunday in July and August!

Admission is free