Venauen Castle

The history of Haus Venauen began in 1555 with its construction by Peter von Bellinghausen. The name “Finawen” suggests a marshy meadow, fitting the proximity of the Sülz river. As early as 1596, Venauen was mentioned as an allodial property, emphasizing its independence from feudal ties. From 1617 to 1638, it was an estate eligible for parliamentary representation. In 1669, the property passed to the Bertolf von Belven family, who undertook a renovation around 1670, shaping its appearance until the early 20th century. Later, ownership transferred to the von Francken family, starting with Johann Werner von Francken and ending with Karl Philipp von Francken. Originally, the noble residence was designed for agricultural use, reflected in the farm utility rooms of its side wings.