Haus Reck, Architectural heritage monument in Pelkum, Germany.
Haus Reck is a fortified estate in Bergkamen with a main house of green sandstone, a defensive tower, protective walls, and several outbuildings. The complex includes a brick barn from 1715, a half-timbered stable from 1775, and other structures spanning different construction periods.
Originally called Haus zur Heyde, the estate came under the Recke family in the 14th century and became one of ten burgmann estates in the region. These fortified residences were essential for defending the area during the medieval period.
The estate shows how noble families in Westphalia combined living space with farming and administration in a single complex. The buildings reflect a way of life that required both protection and self-sufficiency.
The defensive tower now serves as a civil registry office where couples can arrange weddings, including special evening ceremonies. Visitors should check in advance whether visits are permitted on specific days, as parts of the grounds remain in private use.
The complex retains its original fortification walls from the 16th century, making it a rare example of an undamaged defensive estate. The mix of stone, brick, and timber-frame structures displays construction techniques from different centuries in unusually good condition.
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