Kommern Castle

Mechernich, Germany

The oldest part of the Kommern Castle is the residential tower on the slope of the valley. It probably dates back to the 13th century. From the 13th century Kommern Castle was the property of the Arenberg family, who were elevated to dukes in the 17th century. The castle was never used as country seat, but was merely an administration building, as the Arenbergs' wealth was founded on mining. During the 18th century the castle's owner changed after the French invaded. They leased it to the Abels family, who acquired it in 1807. Since 1927 the castle has been privately owned, extensively restored and leased to an extended family.

The interlocking complex of buildings is concealed behind a lavish symmetrical wooden facade and the entire estate is surrounded by a magnificent park with rare trees.

References:

Kreis Euskirchen

Address

Kirchberg 1, Mechernich, Germany

See all sites in Mechernich

Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Hohenstaufen Dynasty (Germany)

Rating

4.2/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Satzvey Castle (4,3 km)

Cologne Cathedral (42,6 km)
Romano-Germanic Museum (42,5 km)
St. Andrew's Church (42,5 km)
Great St. Martin Church (42,4 km)
Wallraf-Richartz-Museum (42,2 km)
Monschau Old Town (29,3 km)
Bonn Minster (34,6 km)
St. Maria Lyskirchen (41,9 km)
Cologne City Museum (42,3 km)

User Reviews

Zvonko Ivanović (3 years ago)
Super

Marc Blum (3 years ago)
Everything lied!

Karin Petermann (5 years ago)
Is worth a visit.

Margret Arends (5 years ago)
Since childhood a beautiful historical sight, which fits the old town center and belongs to it

Thomas Modzelewski (5 years ago)
A nice facility, at least what you can see from outside. A trip here is not worthwhile, however, as the castle is not open to the public. On the private terrain you are not allowed on it, so 1 point deduction from me.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright diannlroy.com

Historic Site of the week

Jan Hus Memorial

The Jan Hus Memorial stands at one end of Old Town Square. The huge monument depicts victorious Hussite warriors and Protestants who were forced into exile 200 years after Hus, and a young mother who symbolises national rebirth. The monument was so large that the sculptor designed and built his own villa and studio where the work could be carried out. It was unveiled in 1915 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus' martyrdom. The memorial was designed by Ladislav Šaloun and paid for solely by public donations.

Born in 1369, Hus became an influential religious thinker, philosopher, and reformer in Prague. He was a key predecessor to the Protestant movement of the sixteenth century. In his works he criticized religious moral decay of the Catholic Church. Accordingly, the Czech patriot Hus believed that mass should be given in the vernacular, or local language, rather than in Latin. He was inspired by the teachings of John Wycliffe.