Burg Bourheim, castle
Burg Bourheim is a castle in Jülich featuring thick stone walls and a gate building from around 1600 that still displays coats of arms. The structure consists of a rectangular main house with two floors, outbuildings, and a central courtyard, all surrounded by a water-filled moat.
Bourheim was first recorded in 1234 as a farming area that was later fortified with defensive walls and structures. From the 15th century onward, various noble families rebuilt and expanded it, though World War II fires caused serious damage that destroyed sections of the buildings.
The name Bourheim reflects the origins of this place, which was home to local noble families whose coats of arms still appear above the gate today. The layout around a central courtyard with living and working buildings shows how an entire household once functioned in this space.
The castle is privately owned today and not open for interior tours, but you can view it from the public street outside. There is no restaurant or accommodation on the grounds, so plan your visit accordingly and use local facilities in the surrounding area.
A notable detail is the water-filled moat that still surrounds the castle today, a feature that has disappeared from many other fortifications in the region. This water barrier was a key part of the original defense system and gives the site a distinctive historical character.
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