Randerath Castle

Randerath Castle is a castle in the Randerath district of Heinsberg (Buschstraße 31) in the Heinsberg district in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Randerath Castle was built on an artificial motte (motte-and-bailey castle) from around 900, was the ancestral seat of the noble family of Randerath and was first mentioned in a document in 1157. The Lords of Randerath were among the most important noble families in the region with widespread possessions, which also included Linnich. After being taken over by the Dukes of Jülich in 1392, the complex was heavily fortified. At times, the castle was also owned by the ancient noble family of Raitz von Frentz.

In 1542, the town and the castle were destroyed and in 1609, the Protestant clergyman Kaspar Sibelius, who worked in Randerath from 1609 to 1611, mentioned it as a ruin. - A glassworks was operated within the castle complex from 1656. Pottery was presumably heavily practiced at the castle, as indicated by shard finds from the period between 1900 and 1918.

The remains of the castle were demolished in 1762, except for the main tower, and the existing cellar building was erected in 1766. Due to dilapidation, the tower then had to be demolished around 1830 as well. Today, the castle is privately owned and has been completely restored.