Schloss Neersen, Baroque château in Willich, Germany
Schloss Neersen is a castle with four corner towers and three wings situated along the Niers River in Willich, surrounded by accessible park grounds. The structure combines elements from different building periods and now serves as the town hall, with substantial portions housing administrative offices and council chambers.
The castle was built as a fortress in the 14th century and transformed into a Baroque palace after the Thirty Years' War under the Virmond-Neersen family. A major fire in 1859 destroyed most of the interior, after which extensive restoration work was undertaken.
The castle takes its name from its location along the Niers River and now functions as the town hall while displaying architectural elements from multiple time periods. Visitors can observe Gothic windows and medieval stonework alongside Baroque additions, reflecting how the building has evolved across centuries.
The grounds are open to the public and the park areas allow visitors to explore the exterior and surrounding landscape. Keep in mind that large portions of the building function as offices and council chambers, so not all interior spaces are freely accessible to tourists.
During renovation after the 1859 fire, stones recovered from the castle moat were built into the new structure, giving the rebuilt building a direct connection to its earlier form. This reclamation of materials from the foundations shows how the original base was integrated into the new design.
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