Palant Castle (Borschemich)

The history of Palant Castle, originally known as “Haus Birsmich,” dates back to 1296, when Knight Gottschalk, a vassal of the Millendonk lordship, was mentioned as its owner. In 1363, the abbess of St. Maria im Kapitol in Cologne leased the tithe of Borschemich to a descendant of Gottschalk. Later, in 1388, Tilgin von Lieventhal was enfeoffed with Birsmich, followed by Heinrich Oysse von Walhusen in 1391. In 1444, Johann von Valderode was the owner, and through marriage, the castle later passed to Johann Klaitz. From 1511, the von Harff family appeared as owners, expanding the property and fortifying the castle. In 1584, a von Harff married Christoph von Palant, making him co-owner and giving the estate its current name. The castle was captured twice in 1586 during the Eighty Years' War by Spanish and Cologne troops, with the outer bailey being burned down.