Burg Satzvey, Medieval moated castle in Mechernich, Germany.

Burg Satzvey is a moated castle in Mechernich-Satzvey, North Rhine-Westphalia, built on two artificial islands fed by the Veybach stream. Its oldest parts are the two-storey Gothic castle house of 1396, the twin-towered gatehouse, the north wall and the north tower. The dark grey stone complex rises from the water; the tall residential wing with its steep slate roof and corner turrets stands beside a round tower with a conical roof, and lower farm buildings with wide grey roofs enclose a paved courtyard.

The site began as a lightly fortified farmstead on two islands in the 12th century, held by the von Vey family, who managed church estates for the Benedictine convent of Dietkirchen. In 1396 Heinrich von Krauthausen, who had acquired it through his wife in 1391, built the first free-standing two-storey Gothic castle house. In the 15th century a gatehouse with twin towers and a kennel strengthened the defences; in 1882 the castle passed to Count Dietrich Wolff-Metternich zur Gracht, who drained the moats and rebuilt it as a representative residence.

The name Satzvey comes from the Veybach stream and the family von Vey who held the estate as advocates for the Dietkirchen convent. Since 1977 the owners have opened the castle to the public and stage historical knights' tournaments, an Easter market, a witches' festival, Halloween and a castle Christmas on the grounds.

The outer courtyards are freely accessible year-round, allowing visitors to explore the exterior grounds at no cost. To see inside the castle, you will need to join a guided tour that provides access to the interior spaces.

The oldest parts of the complex are the original castle house, the twin-towered gatehouse, the north wall and the north tower, which have survived for around 600 years. Two diamond-shaped death shields hang on the gallery beside the gate, commemorating Adeline and Franz Josef Graf Beissel von Gymnich; their four sons were born at the castle.