Dahlum

Dahlum is a castle ruin located on a hillside south of Bockenem, showing the foundations of a medieval imperial residence. The remains indicate a fortified complex with an inner courtyard and outer walls that rose above the surrounding floodplain.

Emperor Otto I selected this site as his preferred winter residence and stayed there multiple times, especially around 950. The complex was later destroyed in the 12th century and its stones were reused to build the city walls of Bockenem.

This location once served as a gathering place for the imperial family and the royal court during winter celebrations. Visitors can see from the ruins how important this site was in the life of medieval rulers.

The site is privately owned and sits in farmland several kilometers south of Bockenem's center. The ruins are visible from outside, but you should ask the landowners for permission before entering the property.

Early 20th-century excavations uncovered burial sites and personal items belonging to imperial residents alongside the chapel foundations. These discoveries provide rare glimpses into daily life at the imperial court during the early Middle Ages.

Location: Bockenem

GPS coordinates: 51.98590,10.12020

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:28