Velde Castle (Boves)

Haus Velde is one of the most significant architectural monuments in the city of Kempen on the Lower Rhine. The former knight's estate is located approximately 3 km north outside the city in the district of Schmalbroich, between the settlements of Voesch to the east and Wall to the west, south of the federal highway 40.

The impressive Renaissance building lies - protected by large trees - on the edge of the Schlootkuhlen nature reserve, which is characterized by a marsh landscape and small bodies of water, created by former peat extraction.

Haus Velde was first mentioned in the 13th century. The building complex visible today partly dates back to the early 16th century. Particularly noteworthy is the coat of arms on the main facade facing the inner courtyard, which shows the year 1527 and bears the initials of the then owners, who were significantly involved in the redesign of the knight's seat, and whose structural changes are partly preserved to this day. On the rear side of the main house, the ruin of an old staircase is preserved, which allowed access to a defensive tower in the inner part of the complex.

Of the outer fortifications, only the large watchtower remains, which still protects the access road today.

Through the centuries, Haus Velde was granted as a fief to several knights of the Kempen district, which belonged to the former Electorate of Cologne, so that they could secure the border of the Electorate with the Duchy of Geldern. The castle in Kempen also testifies to the importance of the city of Kempen in the border region of Electoral Cologne and the Lower Rhine.

In the 20th century, Haus Velde came into the possession of the city of Kempen, which sold the property to private investors. Beginning in the early 1990s, the new owners began extensive alterations, extensions, and renovation work on the building complex and the surrounding lands. Today, Haus Velde is used as a permanently inhabited building and is privately owned. Access to the defensive tower in the driveway is possible, but a tour of the complex is not permitted.