Lüdinghausen Castle

Lüdinghausen Castle was first mentioned in documents in 1271, as were Vischering Castle and Wolfsberg Castle, which are also located in Lüdinghausen. It was probably built as a knight's seat. Lüdinghausen Castle was later owned by the church for many years. It was also Cathedral Dean Gottfried von Raesfeld who had the castle rebuilt in the Renaissance style after a major fire between 1569 and 1574.

A look back: From 800 to 802, the castle, town and some of the hamlets of Lüdinghausen belonged to Werden Abbey (now in Essen), which passed them on as a fief to the family of the Knights of Lüdinghausen. After the last vassal died out in 1443 and a brief period in episcopal hands, the cathedral chapter in Münster became the new vassal in 1509. The cathedral chapter subsequently transferred its "Amt Lüdinghausen" to a man from its own ranks. The most famous official or lord of the manor was the aforementioned Gottfried von Raesfeld. He turned the castle into a handsome cathedral seat for 6000 thalers.

Of the Raefeld building, the complete south wing (the left wing from the castle bridge) built on older foundation walls and the remains of a staircase in today's entrance area of the main castle still exist today, as well as the gable of the Bauhaus (now VHS) on the outer bailey. A large number of coats of arms on lintels, mantelpieces and house facades refer to the builder and the Münster cathedral chapter.

The castle has been in municipal ownership since 1879. The entire west wing, the current tower and parts of the gatehouse on the outer bailey were built in place of older buildings at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when the castle housed the agricultural school. The castle was renovated between 1997 and 2002. Since then, it has been open to the public as a socio-cultural center.

In March 2004, Lüdinghausen citizens founded the "Friends of Lüdinghausen Castle" association to promote the use of the castle and to present the Renaissance part of the castle as part of cultural preservation. From April to October, the Friends open the castle to visitors on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on public holidays. There is also a public guided tour of the old walls on the first Sunday of every month at 3 pm. The castle friends know all sorts of things and have a lot to tell.

The Friends of the Castle invite you to a free public guided tour on the first Sunday of every month from April to October at 3 pm.

The Parc de Taverny and the moated castle landscape extend around Lüdinghausen Castle. The moated castle landscape connects Lüdinghausen and Vischering castles: a green landscape between two branches of the Stever river and the moats of the castles in the middle of the town, inviting you to enjoy nature or even have a picnic. "Take a deep breath" is the motto here.

A weeping willow leaning over a moat, meadow orchards, grazing sheep in a pasture, cackling geese on the water: Wasserburgenland is home to many plants and animals: coots, mallards, geese and herons on the water or perch, carp and pike under water.

If you stand in front of the castle bridge and turn left, you come to the Parc de Taverny (named after Lüdinghausen's French twin town). This is where the Lüdinghausen boules players meet regularly to throw the ball. The playground with its ropeway, swings, climbing frame, slackline and water playground is particularly popular with families.

A slightly different perspective of the castle is offered by the landscape window, which is located on the moat towards the horse meadow. An oversized wooden frame through which you can look at the back of the castle and where you can also find some information about the castle. The best photo motif is when you capture the reflection of the castle, as the landscape window is covered with mirrors all around.

The Steelenweg is located in the moated castle landscape and features bronze busts on sandstone. On display are personalities who either come from Lüdinghausen, were connected with Lüdinghausen or had a special significance for Lüdinghausen. Most of the busts were created by the well-known Lüdinghausen sculptor Annette Wittkamp-Fröhling.

Lüdinghausen Castle has been open to the public since 2002. It is a popular venue for exhibitions, concerts, plays, lectures, trade fairs, markets and much more. The castle is also in demand as a location for civil weddings. The committees and council of the town of Lüdinghausen meet here. The list of events is long.

The KaKTUS Kulturforum has its own exhibition rooms on the upper floor and invites both local and international artists to exhibit their works. The art and culture association organizes the summer festival with many different events, runs the youth art school and much more.