Kleinbüllesheim Castle

The original foundations of the Kleinbüllesheim Castle date back to circa 900 AD and were discovered in 1942 south of the present castle, during excavation work in the Second World War. The present castle was built with a protective moat. The two-storey brick building with rounded corners and attic-roof appears to visitors as a massive edifice. This impression is reinforced by the huge entrance gate, dating back to the 16th century, and by the square ground plan. The corner towers and the outside walls of the original fore-castle have been preserved from the 14th century. The moat has dried out and is only partly recognizable. The castle is privately owned and used for farming.

In 1042 one of the last Earls of Tomburg signed Kleinbüllesheim over to the cathedral chapter of Cologne. In 1728 Johann Conrad Schlaun built the manor house next to the late-gothic fore-castle, in place of the medieval moated castle for the elected Chamberlain of Cologne, Adam von Bourscheidt. Over the years there were continual changes of owner, the castle was passed from one aristocratic family to the next, but then it belonged to Earl Wolff von Metternich zur Gracht, who was registered as owner in 1850. Earl Paul Wolff von Metternich has been renovating the castle for years.

References:

• Kreis Euskirchen

Address

Paulstraße 6, Euskirchen, Germany

Details

Founded: 14th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Habsburg Dynasty (Germany)