Zievel Castle, Mechernich, Germany

When one sees Zievel Castle today, it is exactly as one would imagine a medieval knight's castle to look like. Unlike other local castles, the village of Zievel is not connected to the castle which protected it. The staff who served the noble families usually lived nearby, but here the castle stands in the middle of the landscape.

Zievel Castle is not only much older than other local stately homes and was not only a fiefdom, but also the country seat of high nobility. The very extensive estate used to be surrounded by a moat and separated into a fore-castle and main castle. The ground plan of the castle conforms to the construction carried out by the knight Schmeich von Lissingen.

Some alterations to the building were made during the 15th century, for instance the construction of the twin-tower gate. In 1825 the manor house, dating back to the 15th century, was replaced by the present baroque-style house. The castle was first mentioned in records in 1107, when it was the free property of the Earl of Limburg. In 1377, through the aristocrats von Daun, the Zievel estate, together with the villages of Lessenich and Rissdorf, passed into the hands of the knight Schmeich von Lissingen, who built the castle which is recognizable today. The 15th century saw a new change of owner, when the castle became the main residence of Baron Metternich from Metternich. When that lineage died out in the mid-17th century, the heirs divided the estate and erected a second manor house in 1661. In 1766 the castle was leased to the Krewel family, who then bought the property in 1820 and remain the owners today.

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Kreis Euskirchen

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.

Sontowski Fritz (2 years ago)
All private property, no footpath or bike path to the castle and not easily visible from close up. No recommendation.

Jan Willem Coenen (2 years ago)
Very nice restaurant. And excellent food

Helmut Kruth (3 years ago)
The restaurant can be recommended with a clear conscience. Kudos to the kitchen and the restaurant staff.

Wolfgang Heinisch (3 years ago)
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Dinos Zannikos (5 years ago)
Peaceful place, good Beer, much golf

Zievel Castle

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