Burg Niederkastenholz

Burg Niederkastenholz is a castle complex with a defensive tower from the 12th century in Euskirchen. A moat and stone walls form the outer defense line, while residential buildings from different periods occupy the inner grounds.

The castle was built in the 11th century and served for centuries as an administrative seat for monastery officials. Its secularization in 1804 under French rule ended its ecclesiastical purpose.

The castle shows how noble seats looked in the Middle Rhine region and who lived there. Its connection to monasteries made such places important administrative centers for religious communities.

The site sits at 220 meters elevation near Euskirchen, which offers lodging and transportation connections. The surrounding landscape is hilly, so sturdy footwear is recommended when exploring the grounds.

The water moat of the original water castle remains partially intact, showing how defense systems once protected the structure. The addition of 18th-century buildings transformed it into a monastery residence, adding a layer of religious use that often goes unnoticed.