Donk Castle (Vorst)

The first mention of Burg Donk as a fief of Kurköln dates back to 1259. It is presumed that the Franks had already erected a predecessor building on an artificially created mound, a motte. The complex underwent numerous extensions, including a Renaissance tower built around 1550. The moated castle served as a border fortification for the Kurköln office of Kempen against the territories of Jülich and Geldern. In the 19th century, the castle was destroyed but rebuilt in the 1970s. A restoration in accordance with monument preservation guidelines took place in the 1990s. From 2004 to 2007, Burg Donk was the residence of the US national football goalkeeper Kasey Keller.