Schloss Schwarzenraben, Baroque château in Lippstadt, Germany

Schloss Schwarzenraben is a Baroque water castle near Lippstadt-Bökenförde, built from 1748 to 1765 to plans by Johann Matthias Kitz for Ferdinand Friedrich Freiherr von Hörde. The pale yellow, three-storey main building stands within a rectangular moat, its projecting central section framed by four grey pilasters and topped by a curved pediment, with a balcony above an arched entrance. Two long outbuildings with dark, steep roofs flank a paved forecourt in front of it.

This castle was built between 1748 and 1765 under architect Johann Matthias Kitz for the Hoerde noble family. The completed structure became a symbol of the region's aristocratic power during the height of Baroque building activity.

The chapel inside reflects the religious importance of the family who lived here, with its ornate interior details visible to visitors exploring the building. The space shows how faith and status were expressed through architectural choices during the 1700s.

The castle stands in a rectangular moat at the end of a paved forecourt flanked by two long outbuildings, where cars can be parked. The grounds and park are viewed from outside; the interior is not open as a museum.

The 1935 blaze started with a forgotten iron and left only the outer walls standing. Two men died when a chimney collapsed during the rescue: fireman Otto Kersting and forester Heinrich Mertens. The disaster led to a nationwide review and reform of fire services, and rebuilding under architect Max Sonnen began the same year.