Schloss Gymnich, Medieval water castle in Erftstadt, Germany

Schloss Gymnich is a moated castle on a rectangular island in the Erft floodplain. Its two wings meet at a right angle: the west wing, rebuilt in Baroque style between 1655 and 1659, has two towers, while the north wing dates from 1722. A bridge links the outer bailey to the main castle, and a neo-Baroque porch of 1907 shelters the entrance stair.

The fortress was founded in 1354 by Heinrich I von Gymnich and later fell under the jurisdiction of the Cologne Archbishop. This connection shaped its development across centuries.

The interior rooms display wall paneling and stucco decorations showing castles from the era of Prince-Bishop Clemens August. These decorative elements reveal the place's importance within the regional power structure.

The entrance gate is reached via a side street branching off the main road, and an avenue leads from there to the castle. The main castle stands on a rectangular island surrounded by moats and is linked to the outer bailey by a bridge. The entrance lies in a small neo-baroque porch at the angle of the two wings, up a staircase.

The castle gave its name to the "Gymnich meetings": the first informal gathering of EU foreign ministers took place here in April 1974, organised by Hans-Dietrich Genscher. Since then the format has met once per Council Presidency. In 1998 the Kelly Family bought the castle and lived there until 2002, with police guarding the grounds against fans.