Raesfeld Castle

The origins of Schloss Raesfeld lie in a medieval knight's castle. By the end of the 16th century, the complex came into the possession of the von Velen family. In the mid-17th century, Imperial Count Alexander II von Velen had the castle converted into a Renaissance residence. After the extinction of the von Velen zu Raesfeld line in the first half of the 18th century, the castle was only sporadically inhabited and gradually fell into disrepair. In the early 19th century, parts were demolished or used for agricultural purposes. After World War II, the Chambers of Crafts of North Rhine-Westphalia acquired the property and extensively restored it.

The castle serves as a training and further education facility for the Chambers of Crafts, is used for cultural events, and houses a restaurant. Since 2007, civil weddings can also be held here. Of the original upper castle, the west wing with its stepped tower and the adjacent old building with a reconstructed round tower are preserved. Moats separate the upper castle from the outer bailey and the village-like castle liberty with the castle chapel. The adjacent animal park is one of the few surviving Renaissance animal parks and hosts a natural and cultural-historical exhibition in a modern information center.