Wewelsburg

Wewelsburg is a castle with a triangular floor plan in Büren, defined by three round towers connected by thick walls. The complex sits at about 227 meters in elevation near the Alme creek and now houses a memorial museum, educational center, restaurant, and youth hostel accommodations.

Prince-Bishop Dietrich von Fürstenberg built the current castle structure between 1603 and 1609, incorporating earlier fortification elements. This construction period established the castle as a symbol of spiritual authority in the Paderborn region.

The castle served as a residence for prince-bishops and continues to shape the region's identity as a place of spiritual authority. Visitors can sense this importance through the rooms that reveal how these religious leaders lived and governed.

The location is reachable by public transit and offers adequate parking for visitors with cars. Those arriving on foot should wear sturdy shoes, as some paths leading to the castle are steep.

The precise triangular shape with its angles was intentionally planned using geometric principles and has been preserved to this day. This makes the castle a rare example of mathematical precision in 17th-century fortress design.

Location: Büren

Elevation above the sea: 227 m

GPS coordinates: 51.60540,8.65248

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41