Paffendorf Castle

The building was constructed between 1531 and 1546 under Wilhelm von dem Bongard entirely of brick in the Renaissance style on the foundations of a previous building. The two-part complex is surrounded by a large moat, which was formerly fed by the Erft river. It is accessible through two opposing gatehouses at the junction between the outer and main castle. One gate leads to the park. The show side of the castle faces the park.

To the northwest, a three-sided outer bailey with the farm buildings adjoins. Wall anchors with the years 1745 and 1753 show the date of the new construction of these parts. From 1861 to 1865, the castle was rebuilt by Ludwig von dem Bongart in the Neo-Gothic style, according to the taste of the time and plans by the Cologne architect August Carl Lange. Thus, it received turrets, battlements, balustrades, and balconies.

The castle park covers 7.5 hectares. It was redesigned by gardeners of Rheinbraun for the intended information center. In the large park, there are many old and primeval trees. There are also extensive water features and a small bog. The well-maintained garden was included in the Road of Garden Art between the Rhine and Maas in 2004.

The castle houses a permanent exhibition on the topic of "Rhenish Lignite". It consists of a former economically used outer bailey and a manor house. The permanent exhibition is located on the first floor of the manor house. Another exhibition, which changes frequently, is located next to the bistro in the "Galerie Schloss Paffendorf" in the outer bailey. A forest nature trail in the park informs visitors about the flora of the Tertiary period.

The information center is also the starting point for the approximately 30-kilometer "Road of Energy" designated by RWE-Power with the Rhein-Erft-Kreis, where visitors can experience what they have read in reality.