Lembeck Castle

Lembeck is a moated castle located in the Hohe Mark Nature Park and surrounded by the 'Hagen' and 'Kippheide' forests to the south of the Dorsten district of Lembeck in the northwest of the Recklinghausen region.

The Lembeck meadow stream has been dammed on the castle grounds to form a rectangular pond that spans an area of 190 × 160 meters, encircling the entire complex. The Baroque palace complex exhibits a symmetrical structure, defined by a rectilinear east-west axis that extends for a length of 500 meters. The axis begins with a 200-meter-long avenue from the east that leads to the former three-winged outer bailey.

Outer bailey

The outer bailey comprises two wings and a one-story façade 110 meters wide, interrupted by a two-story gatehouse made of ashlar sandstone. Access to the outer bailey is granted through two consecutive bridges. It is currently covered with a basic mansard roof. Above the gateway is a keystone displaying the coats of arms of Dietrich Conrad Adolf von Westerholt zu Lembeck and his wife Marie Theodora von Waldbott-Bassenheim-Gudenau, along with the year 1692, signifying the completion of the outer castle rebuilding.

At its ends, the southern wing of the outer bailey is bordered by single-story corner towers adorned with Welsh hoods and imperial shaft ends. These towers feature keyholes in the basement. Additionally, the southeast tower, as well as the towers situated to the left and right of the gatehouse, also possess embrasures.

Manor house

Access to the three-story manor house is through the outer courtyard and across a stone-arched bridge. Although initially intended as a three-winged structure, it is believed that financial constraints led to its execution as a two-winged building. Notably, the manor house was originally decorated with a plaster finish featuring incised ashlars, rather than painted ashlars as previously assumed.

The east wing, consisting of two pavilion towers, measures 94 meters in length and was fully finished in 1679. On the other hand, the earlier northern wing was incorporated into the reconstruction efforts between 1674 and 1679.

The sandstone portal above the entrance is a more intricate design than the outer castle. Its elevation, reaching up to the base of the roof, gives it the appearance of a central risalit. The portal showcases the coat of arms representing the alliance between Burchardt von Westerholt zu Lembeck and his wife Clara von der Recke. Behind the portal is a passage inspired by Italian Renaissance and Mannerism architecture. Similar passage halls can be found in renowned structures such as the Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, as well as the Palazzo Farnese in Rome. This design element allowed arriving guests to enter the building without getting wet during rainy weather, while their carriages were either turned or parked in the courtyard.

On the side facing the inner courtyard, the façade of the mansion features a Renaissance bay window supported by double curved sandstone consoles. The front of the bay window is divided by six windows, and some of these windows bear marked glass panes with dates, providing insights into the construction period of the building. The latest date found on the glass panes is 1677, offering a valuable clue regarding its historical timeline.

To the west, a wooden bridge connects the mansion island to the park. The brick bridge piers are adorned with yellowish Baumberg sandstone and crowned by putti holding coats of arms. These piers, designed by Johann Conrad Schlaun in 1728, were built after 1730. The putties are depicted holding the coats of arms belonging to Ferdinand von Merveldt and Maria von Westerholt-Lembeck.[6]

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Schloss 1, Dorsten, Germany

Details

Founded: 17th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Thirty Years War & Rise of Prussia (Germany)