Nideggen Castle

The Counts of Jülich began constructing Nideggen Castle in the border area to the Lordship of Monschau, aiming to secure their inherited lands against the interests of the Archbishop of Cologne. Wilhelm II laid the foundation stone for the keep in 1177. It was built within sight of the Imperial Castle Berenstein, whose stones were later used for the expansion of Nideggen's castle tower. Wilhelm III and his successors continued the construction and also came into conflict with the Electorate of Cologne. Thus, in 1242, Wilhelm IV had Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden imprisoned in the castle dungeon for nine months. Duke Ludwig of Bavaria and Konrad's successor Engelbert II von Falkenburg also experienced imprisonment here. Under Gerhard von Jülich, the settlement “Nydeckin” was founded, to which he granted town rights in 1313. From 1340, Wilhelm V and Duke Wilhelm I significantly expanded the complex, constructing one of the largest palaces in the Rhineland. In 1356, Nideggen Castle became the main residence of the family.