Haus Traar, Medieval castle in Krefeld, Germany
Haus Traar is a medieval castle in Krefeld with a main building featuring a curved hipped roof and a single-nave brick chapel. The entire property shows how residential space, chapel, and original agricultural buildings formed a unified manor complex.
The estate was built in the 13th century as a knight's residence and belonged to the Teutonic Order for about 500 years until French annexation in 1801. After two devastating fires in 1584 and 1641, the entire complex was reconstructed starting in 1647 and gained its present appearance.
The chapel displays religious artworks from the 17th century, including stained glass windows and inscriptions carved into the walls. Visitors can see the craftsmanship of these pieces and their role in the community when walking through the space.
The grounds are now partly residential housing following a comprehensive 1993 renovation that converted the former agricultural buildings into apartments. Visitors should note that parts of the site are private, so access is limited and viewing is usually from the exterior.
The rebuilding after the devastating fires in the 17th century resulted in a brick chapel constructed with unusual solidity for the northwest region. This material choice and building method reveal how efforts after the fires aimed to create a more durable structure.
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