Hengebach Castle

The origins of Hengebach Castle date back to the early 11th century, with Godizo of Aspel-Heimbach recorded as the first known owner. After his death in 1011, the castle passed to Count Gerhard of Metz. However, through marriage, it came into the possession of Gerhard of Monterberg, leading to a siege by Gerhard of Lorraine and Balderich of Drenthe. Following Monterberg's death and the surrender of the castle's garrison, Hengebach served as a retreat for Balderich of Drenthe from 1016 to 1021, from where he launched raids. The subsequent ownership history is initially unclear, but the castle eventually returned to Godizo's descendants. Between 1075 and 1094, Ethelger of Zülpich is mentioned as Lord of Hengebach, followed by Hermann I of Hengebach at the beginning of the 12th century, considered the progenitor of the Hengebach family. After the extinction of this line around 1237, the castle was united with the Jülich territories under Count Wilhelm IV of Jülich. It remained, with interruptions, in the possession of the Counts and later Dukes of Jülich until the end of the 18th century, before falling to the Palatine Counts of Pfalz-Neuburg and gradually falling into disrepair. A fire in 1687 completely destroyed the castle.