ANNO 1280 — Medieval Festival Gütersloh

ANNO 1280 — Hands-on Medieval Experience

ANNO 1280 is one of the most established and highest-quality medieval festivals in North Rhine-Westphalia — and specifically in the Münsterland and Lipperland regions. From Thursday, June 4 to Sunday, June 7, 2026, the 16th edition will take place at Rittergut Kruse in Gütersloh-Isselhorst (Niederröhrmannsweg 1). Four days of travel into the Middle Ages — consciously staged according to the standards of the serious reenactment scene.

The Concept — Medieval Without Fantasy

ANNO-EVENTS focuses on historically grounded medieval times — no dragons, no elves, no magic kitsch. Instead:

• Reenactment groups from all over Germany, authentically portraying various historical eras
• Medieval music "in the style of medieval minstrels" with historical instruments (hurdy-gurdy, shawm, bagpipes, drums)
• Knight tournaments on foot and on horseback with real armor
• Archery demonstrations and competitions
• Fire artists and fire performances in the evening
• Market stalls with craftsmen and traders in medieval attire
• Jesters, acrobats, jugglers
• Historical food and drinks — mead, beer, suckling pig

Patron — Count Otto III of Ravensberg

The patron of the festival is the historical Count Otto III of Ravensberg (lifespan approx. 1238–1306) — a central figure in 13th-century Westphalian history. The year 1280, which gives the festival its name, is an era in which Otto III played a formative role in the region. The festival welcomes visitors with a portrayal of the Count, who "invites you on a journey through time".

Rittergut Kruse — The Historic Setting

The Rittergut Kruse in Isselhorst (southwestern district of Gütersloh) offers the perfect historical stage: a preserved agricultural estate with half-timbered buildings, stables, and spacious outdoor areas. The estate has been regularly used for historical events for years and is well-equipped with infrastructure (camping, sanitary facilities, stages).

Gütersloh-Isselhorst — District in the Gütersloh District

Gütersloh (around 102,000 inhabitants) is a district town in the Gütersloh District in Ostwestfalen-Lippe — home to several major corporations (Bertelsmann, Miele, Claas). Isselhorst is a southwestern district with a village character — an ideal setting for a medieval festival away from the city center.