Haus Ostendorf

Haus Ostendorf is a manor estate in Haltern am See consisting of agricultural buildings and two surviving towers from its original fortified structure. The property displays the typical layout of a former water castle, where the remaining buildings reflect its earlier importance as a defended residence.

The property was first documented in 1316 and originally served as a water castle. From 1358, the von Raesfeld family held it for roughly 400 years, until it gradually lost its standing as a major fortified site.

The estate was central to the lives of people working its lands, whose fortunes depended on decisions made by those living in the main house. The surviving structures show how a working farm operation was organized, with residences, storage areas, and animal shelters clustered together.

The property is privately owned and not open to visitors, so exploration is limited to viewing the visible towers and buildings from outside. Its location on Burgstraße 100 is fairly central within Haltern am See, making it easy to spot from the public road.

A severe fire in 1934 destroyed the main mansion almost entirely, leaving only the stone towers and farm buildings standing. This event shaped the site as it appears today and shows how quickly a grand residence can be lost.

Location: Haltern am See

GPS coordinates: 51.71500,7.11722

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:43