Stromberg Castle (Ruin)

Stromberg Castle in Westphalia was built at a strategically favorable location on a hill in the Beckum Hills. It is thus the only hilltop castle in Münsterland, after Cappenberg was converted into a monastery.

First documented mention of the castellans of Stromberg in 1177, although it must be assumed that Stromberg Castle had existed for longer. It probably dates back to the time of Charlemagne, who founded a monastery in Liesborn.

The view to the east extends far into the Paderborn region (on days with good visibility, the cement works of Geseke and Erwitte can be recognized as landmarks), to the south the view reaches the Haarstrang ridge.

Due to this location, Stromberg Castle was ideally suited to defend the eastern borders of the Diocese of Münster.

Steep slopes to the south and west provide natural protection against attackers, reinforced by thick walls. To the east and north, the castle was protected by a double wall with a moat in between.

The extent of the castle, with an almost triangular layout, was approximately:

• to the south 230m
• to the west 285m
• to the north 50m
• to the east 180m

and formed a total area of approx. 30,000 m². The surrounding wall was thus approx. 745m long!

The highest point of the castle is at the Cross Church and is 154.59m/NN, while the rest of the castle complex has a height of approx. 151.15m/NN.

The castle was entered from the current Münsterstraße via a tower located in front of the Paulusturm. The Paulusturm itself was further protected by a drawbridge.

Through this gate system, one reached the first of the three castle courtyards, the Burgmannenhof. There, the first thing that catches the eye is the Cross Church, built in the 12th century.

Through a second archway, guarded by 2 guardhouses, one reached the castle courtyard in the southern part of the castle complex. The third smaller courtyard occupied the western side in the southern part of the castle and was probably referred to as the official square.

Several wells supplied the castle inhabitants with water.

One of them is located between the Paulusturm and the Cross Church. It is approx. 30 m deep. For comparison: The Paulusturm is approx. 30 m high.

The residential houses of the castle knights and the castellan were located in the individual courtyards.

The Mallinckrodthaus, located on the left side of the Burgmannenhof, still gives an impression of what the houses looked like at that time.

The castellan's residence, the so-called Palas, was located on the southern castle wall. Several watchtowers were located along the castle walls.