Bocholt Castle

Bocholt Castle, locally known as Burg Bocholt or Burg Bocholtz, lies west of the village of Lobberich, part of the municipality of Nettetal, in the North Rhine-Westphalia region in Germany.

Bocholt Castle was first mentioned in 1096. The castle was situated near the former Roman army road between Nijmegen and Aachen and therefore of strategic importance.

In 1358 the castle was strengthened. The present ruin of a 4-stories high keep, called the Kaiserturm (Emperor's Tower) probably dates back to that period. In 1450 the bailey was built. The present gate building probably dates back to that period.

Bocholt Castle was owned by the Von Bocholtz family from 1242 until 1748 when it went to Count Mirbach zu Harff by marriage. Subsequently it was leased to a Wilhelm and Kaspar Hauss, commoners.

Probably during the Seven Years' War, from 1756 till 1763, Bocholt Castle was destroyed. In 1905 the keep, which until then had been standing up to a height of 21.5 meters, collapsed, leaving the present ruin.

In 2000 the remaining buildings of the castle were restored. The castle now houses a company which rents out the castle as a location for parties. Therefore the castle can not be visited, only as a guest of such a party. The castle has its own website at: Burg Bocholt Event.

Not a very spectacular castle but I would have liked to have taken a closer look at the ruined keep.

Gallery