Schmitthausen Castle

The origins of Haus Schmithausen date back to the Middle Ages, when a two-part moated castle stood on the same site. This was first documented in 1442 during an inheritance division. The castle took its name from a locality called Smithuysen, which served as a customs station on the Old Rhine as early as the 11th century. However, after the silting up of the Rhine arm between 1289 and 1300 and the relocation of the customs, the place lost its significance. The Dukes of Kleve and later the Electors of Brandenburg granted the estate as a fief. Around 1770, the current manor was built in the style of Dutch Classicism. The builder was Hans Christian von der Meyen, director of the Prussian War and Domain Chamber.