Haus Walbeck, Water castle in Walbeck, Geldern, Germany
Haus Walbeck is a moated castle in Walbeck, a district of Geldern in the Lower Rhine region. Its main house is a two-storey brick building of about 25 by 30 metres, arranged around a small inner courtyard in four wings. Small turrets sit at the corners of the roof base, and the present appearance follows the model of a Dutch castle.
Haus Walbeck was first mentioned in 1403 as the centre of the Herrlichkeit Walbeck, held by the Schenken von Nideggen. In 1452 the lordship was split between the owners of Walbeck and nearby Haus Steprath, a division that lasted into the 18th century. After the von Bylandt and von Gramey families, the von Bönninghausen followed in 1653. The Walbeck line died out in the early 19th century, and the house later served as a residence, a miners' convalescent home, and from 1955 as the seat of the Institute for Christian Social Pedagogy.
Haus Walbeck was the centre of the Herrlichkeit Walbeck, a small lordship held by the Schenken von Nideggen and first mentioned in 1403. In 1452 the lordship was divided between the owners of Walbeck and nearby Haus Steprath, a split that lasted into the 18th century. From 1653 the von Bönninghausen family held the house.
The property sits in the countryside outside Geldern and is most easily reached by car, as public transport connections to this area are limited. It is worth checking access conditions before visiting, as parts of the estate may not always be open to the public.
The main house is a two-storey brick quadrangle of about 25 by 30 metres around a small courtyard. The turrets on the corners of the roof base were once linked by wall walks in the attic. A fire in 1836 destroyed one storey, and the house was rebuilt without it.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,483 contributors worldwide.