Niederzier Castle

The origins of Niederzier Castle date back to the 13th century, when a Jülich ministerial family, named after the locality, appeared in documents. Names such as Heinrich von Zier (1226) and Conrad von Cirne (1269) attest to this early connection. However, more precise records of the estate are only available from the early 16th century. In 1526, Jakob and Maria Bock von Pattern sold their share to Arnold von Hochsteden and his wife Katharina Bock. After Arnold's death in 1543, the castle passed to Katharina Bock, née von Hatzfeld. The von Hochsteden family remained in possession of the castle until the death of Countess Josina von Hochsteden in 1848, although the male line had already died out in 1793 with Count Ferdinand. In 1674, the castle was burned down by French troops, but the manor house was rebuilt in 1698 and the outer bailey in 1765. After the division, Niederzier briefly came into the possession of the Barons von Dalwigk before being acquired by the Schmill family.