Castle
History of the castle
Burg Vischering is a perfect model of a moated Münsterland castle. With its circular main castle building in the middle of a body of water, it is an architectural landmark of picturesque unity - widely known as a popular photo spot and subject.
The name Vischering did not appear until the 14th century. However, the first documentary evidence about the castle dates back to 1271. At that time, the bishop of Münster, Gerhard von der Mark, entrusted it to the knight Albert von Wulfheim. With a small army, the latter was to defend the castle from attack and keep it accessible to the bishop. These measures were directed against the brothers Hermann and Bernhard von Ludinghausen, who lived in the neighboring castles of Ludinghausen and Wolfsberg. The brothers were feudal lords of the very rich neighboring imperial abbey of Verdun, which they wanted to rule themselves.
The Bishop of Münster considered the construction of Wolfsberg an undermining of his sovereign rights, and was therefore forced to act. He ordered the conquest of the city of Ludinghausen and the destruction of Wolfsberg Castle. To hold off his opponents, he gave Albert von Wulfheim a fortification later named Vischering. A facsimile of the donation document of 1271 is on display in the museum in Burg Vischering.
Location and architectural history
The castle, built in the lowlands of the Stever River, was protected by a new waterway. However, it is difficult to determine the exact dates of the development of the castle's architecture. Recent research indicates an earlier building, possibly dating from the 12th century, on the site of the main castle. In 1271, a powerful medieval tower was erected on the site of the current castle yard.
During the later rebuilding of the castle, the ring wall, the exact time of which is also unknown, was only partially breached. Later construction took place on top of the wall, and thanks to this construction procedure, the castle still gives the impression of being enclosed, well fortified, although from 1519 to 1622 the castle became a residential castle, starting with a new gateway structure in the main building. The great fire of 1521 was another reason for restoration. Higher living quarters were built and a stair tower was built. Finally, a bay window projecting over the house pond was built. The baroque transformation of the castle did not take place, perhaps also because by the end of the 17th century the castle had lost its role as the main residence of the owner's family. Although the castle never went unused and continued to be important to the identity of the house of Droste zu Vischering, it was not until 1893-1923 that the Erbdrostenhof again served as the long-term residence of Count Maximilian.
In 1944, the bombs of the Second World War caused great destruction.
6 сен 2024
