Ermelinghof Castle

The first documented mention of Haus Ermelinghof dates to 1350, though a family named von Ermel resided there as early as the 12th century. Through marriage, the property passed into the possession of the von Galen family around 1410. In the 16th century, the von Galen owners converted to Protestantism but reverted to Catholicism in 1652 under the influence of Prince-Bishop Christoph Bernhard von Galen. A new castle chapel, the St. Bartholomew's Chapel, was consecrated in 1654. Following economic decline and bankruptcy, the estate was foreclosed in 1781 and acquired by Baron Anton von Wintgen in 1787. Through marriage, Haus Ermelinghof came into the possession of the von Twickel family in 1840, remaining in their private ownership to this day. The original main house burned down in 1875 and was subsequently rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style.