Schloss Paffendorf

Schloss Paffendorf is a red brick castle in Bergheim built in Renaissance style with two round towers, Gothic-style battlements, and turrets. The entire structure is surrounded by water-filled moats fed by the Erft River.

The castle was built in its current form between 1531 and 1546, though earlier structures on the site date back to 1230. It underwent major Neo-Gothic modifications from 1861 to 1865.

The castle houses a permanent exhibition about regional brown coal mining, showing how this resource shaped local life and work over many generations. Visitors can trace how this industry influenced the area's development through the displayed materials and stories.

The castle functions as an event venue with multiple meeting spaces equipped for groups of up to 150 people. The grounds around the building are accessible for visitors to explore the exterior and surrounding areas.

The park surrounding the castle preserves fossilized Sequoia wood from roughly 15 million years ago. These fossils remained intact because their high tannin content naturally protected them from decay.