Velen Castle

Velen Castle is a moated castle located centrally in the town center of Velen in Münsterland.

The castle has been demonstrably owned by the Lords, later Barons, of Velen since 1221. The origin of the current castle dates back to the 14th century. The architect of the three-winged outer bailey was Ambrosius von Oelde. According to the plans of Johann Conrad Schlaun, the south wing was practically rebuilt in the years 1744 and 1745. Anna Theresia von Velen (1735–1775) brought the castle and lordship to her husband Clemens August von Landsberg zu Erwitte, and the Counts of Landsberg-Velen have remained the owners ever since.

In 1931, the castle completely burned down, but was rebuilt between 1933 and 1934 according to the old plans. The castle park preserves an orangery, forester's house, pheasantry, and zoo. Between 1935 and approximately 1944, the castle was occupied by a customs school of the Reich financial administration. Since 1988, the castle has been used as a conference and event hotel under the name SportSchloss Velen.