Burg Raaf

Burg Raaf is a castle ruin centered on a sturdy stone keep flanked by four defensive towers that rest on heavy corbels above surrounding farmland. The walls are built from large sandstone blocks and still retain traces of interior features like fireplaces and ceiling supports.

Construction began around 1300 and the castle became a focal point of disputes over control among noble families throughout the 14th century. The building methods used show typical defensive techniques of the medieval German-speaking lands of that era.

The fortress served as a seat of regional power and shaped the lives of surrounding communities through control of land and trade routes. Visitors can sense this former authority in the solid construction and defensive design that still marks the ruins.

The ruins stand on private property and are visible from outside, though interior access requires permission from the owner. Walking around the site offers views of the structure from different angles and its setting within the agricultural landscape.

The roof was removed in 1832 not by warfare or decay, but deliberately due to a tax dispute between the owner and local authorities. This unusual cause of destruction makes the ruin's story one of property conflicts and the weight of obligations in the past.

Location: Raeren

Inception: 13 century

Address: Stestertstraße 32

GPS coordinates: 50.69784,6.10250

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:26