Junkernhees Castle

The origins of Junkernhees Castle date back to 1523, when Knight Adam von und zu der Hees had the estate built as a moated castle. In 1698, the castle underwent alterations and extensions, which partly gave it its current appearance. The area around Junkernhees was already characterized by the drainage of marshlands and the emergence of new trade routes by the late 13th or early 14th century. The noble family von der Hees, who originated from the Attendorn area, first acquired rights to Siegerland land in 1294 and solidified their influence through further land purchases in 1362. A predecessor building, the Heesburg, was first documented in 1372 and was a fortified country seat that changed hands several times. Adam von der Hees, Philipp's younger son, began construction of the current castle around 1514, approximately 250 meters from the older Heesburg. The owners moved in in 1523, documented by a coat of arms stone above the portal. In the 16th century, it was a fortified quarry stone castle with four towers, loopholes, and a moat.