Kalkofen Manor

The origins of Kalkofen Manor date back to the early 14th century, when it was first documented. In 1582, the complex was set on fire during military conflicts but was subsequently rebuilt. Through the Ballhausen and Schardinel families, the estate eventually came into the possession of the Aachen cloth manufacturer Johann von Wespien. Between 1750 and 1753, he commissioned the master builder Johann Joseph Couven to convert it. After Wespien's death, the property was rented to wealthy spa guests before passing into the ownership of the Zurhelle family in 1831, who remain the owners to this day. Kalkofen Manor hosted several crowned heads of Europe, including King Frederick IV of Denmark and Norway in 1724, and Emperor Napoleon and his wife Joséphine between 1800 and 1804.