Haus Empel, Medieval château ruin in Rees, Germany.

Haus Empel consists of castle ruins positioned on a rectangular island surrounded by moats near the Empeler Meer, a former branch of the Rhine River. The structure displays architectural elements from both medieval and later baroque periods.

First mentioned in 1240 as property of knight Bernard von Rees, the site developed into a castle during the 13th and 14th centuries. A baroque transformation in 1700 left marks visible in the surviving structures today.

The gate posts display Latin numerals MDCC marking 1700, when baroque changes transformed the site's appearance. This detail helps visitors understand how the place evolved through different periods.

The privately owned ruins are not accessible to the public, but visitors can explore surrounding nature trails and the landscape of the Lower Rhine Region. Walking or cycling through the area reveals the waterways and countryside that shape this part of the country.

The surviving east wing retains a decorated oriel added in 1570, framed by fluted pilasters and topped by a shell-shaped gable carried by two fauns. Its inscription reads "ANNO DOMINI 1570. LIBET DOT DEINEN HERN UBER ALLES. UND DEINEN NEHESTEN ALSDICH SELBST." The gate pillars bear the Latin numerals MDCC, for 1700, and once carried figures of Minerva.