Vlatten Castle

In the Middle Ages, two castles, known as Oberburg and Unterburg, were built in Vlatten. The Oberburg, the southern of the two complexes, was acquired in 1331 by Johann I von Vlatten-Merode. His descendants called themselves “von Vlatten”. A castle complex was built in the 14th century, the remains of which are still preserved today. It consisted of a rectangular main castle with towers and an irregular outer bailey, surrounded by moats. After the death of Reiner I von Vlatten in 1448, the Oberburg was divided between the families von Vlatten and von Schwarz-Bongard through marriage and inheritance. In the 16th century, the Vlatten share fell to the von Gymnich family. Through further marriages, ownership changed hands several times until Clemens August von Syberg reunited the castle in one hand in 1787. After further changes of ownership in the 19th century, Julius Rütgers acquired the property, which he gave to his daughter Emilie, married to Major General Ernst Freiherr von Gagern. The main castle had already fallen into ruin by the 18th century.