Stapel Castle

In Havixbeck, Haus Stapel is a Neoclassical moated castle in North Rhine-Westphalia. Its origins date back to the early Middle Ages, when dam systems existed here for fishing and operating a mill.

Haus Stapel was likely established as a noble residence in the 16th century on the site of a former farmhouse. The current outer bailey buildings, including the flanking towers, were erected in 1607 and 1608, while the gate tower was added in 1719 following designs by Maximilian von Welsch. The present main castle, a Neoclassical structure, was completed in 1828 according to plans by architect August Reinking, who died shortly after the foundation stone was laid in 1819. The estate always remained in the possession of noble families and was never sold, but changed hands through female inheritance, for example, to the von Kerckerinck family and later to the von Droste zu Hülshoff family. The current castle was built for the family of Ernst Konstantin Freiherr von Droste zu Hülshoff and Maria Theresia Freiin von Kerckerinck zu Stapel, who had 22 children.