Kolvenburg, Medieval castle in Billerbeck, Germany

Kolvenburg is a stone fortress at the edge of Billerbeck, surrounded by the rolling hills of Baumberge and traditional Münsterland landscapes. The building displays medieval architecture with modifications from later periods, reflecting its long history of use.

The castle began in the 13th century as a tower castle built by the Knights of Billerbeck, replacing an earlier motte to the south; it was called Overwater because the Berkel was dammed into a pond beside it. From 1309 the von Colve family held it, and around 1494 it passed to Gottfried von Münster, who had it called Colvenburg after that family. The present early-Renaissance form dates from the 15th and 16th centuries, and the von Twickel family has owned it since 1892/1893.

The name Kolvenburg was coined around 1500 by Gottfried von Münster, who wrongly took the Colve family for the castle's founders and had the name Colvenburg written into a legal document. Since 1966 the von Twickel family has leased the building to Coesfeld district, which runs it as one of its two cultural centres.

The building is easily reached via local roads and offers parking nearby. Before visiting, check the website or social media for current opening hours and exhibitions on display.

The name Kolvenburg was coined around 1500 by Gottfried von Münster, who mistakenly believed the Colve family had founded the castle and had a document drawn up calling it Colvenburg; the spelling stuck during the 16th century. Earlier it was known as Overwater, after the Berkel pond beside it.