Tecklenburg, Medieval castle ruins in Tecklenburg, Germany.
Tecklenburg is a castle ruin located in the Teutoburg Forest near the town of Tecklenburg in North Rhine-Westphalia. The complex contains two courtyards separated by a moat and earthen ramparts, with building remnants from different periods still standing.
The castle was founded around 1100 by the Dutch Count of Zutphen to control trade routes through the region. A papal ban issued in 1226 following a high-profile murder shows its growing political importance over time.
The outer courtyard has served as an open-air theater venue since 1927, hosting theatrical performances throughout the year. Visitors experience a living connection between the historical setting and contemporary artistic expression.
The Wierturm observation tower allows visitors to climb and view the surrounding forest and landscape from above. Keys for access are available at local guesthouses, so inquire beforehand when arriving in the area.
The castle was connected to a shocking crime that reached the highest levels of the church: a murder involving the Archbishop of Cologne led to its papal condemnation. This incident reveals how local power struggles were intertwined with major ecclesiastical conflicts.
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