Zelem Castle

Kranenburg, Germany

Zelem Castle was a knight's moated fortress located in the lowland areas left of the Rhine River between the villages Mehr and Niel. Zelem was mentioned for the first time in the 12th century as a property of Echternach Abbey. In the first half of the 14th century, Zelem belonged to the Counts of Kranenburg but was sold in 1348 to the lords of Groesbeek. In the 15th century, the Palant-Wylich family became the owners of the estate, in whose hands it remained for centuries. The castle remains privately owned and can therefore only be viewed from the outside.

The castle's basic fabric comes mainly from the first half of the 15th century. In the middle of the 16th century it was rebuilt in Renaissance style. The former three-storey building includes two corner towers formerly equipped with canopies, one of which was decorated with a frieze with sandstone ornaments, mythical creatures, human heads, and a stair tower. The Renaissance portal is adorned with the emblem of the Palant family and the date 1464.

Inside the house is a barrel-vaulted basement, a tower room with a star vault, and a fireplace from the Renaissance. By 1800, the basic structure had been significantly reduced, and the fortification, except for the main wing, was dismantled.

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Details

Founded: 15th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Habsburg Dynasty (Germany)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Amin Nashibi (2 years ago)
That was a weird peaceful place with a beautiful palace
Farengar Meester (3 years ago)
Very beautiful and well-kept castle on the Lower Rhine. This castle always looks very romantic in the morning fog and in the sunshine. In my opinion, this piece of jewelry on the lower Niederehein could serve as a great film backdrop. The owners of the castle must be very proud of their home ? ???
Julius A (3 years ago)
Great and very well-kept castle complex. One of the most beautiful facilities on the Lower Rhine.
Jos Hendriks (4 years ago)
Privately owned. Not freely accessible
Michael Heinemann (6 years ago)
We were here for the Arden British days, there couldn't be a better setting for such an event.
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