Schloss Burgsteinfurt

Schloss Burgsteinfurt, also known as Schloss Steinfurt, is a captivating moated castle nestled on the edge of the old town of Burgsteinfurt, a district of the city of Steinfurt in the Münsterland region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This historic fortress, the oldest water castle in Westphalia, stands proudly on a nearly circular island encircled by the Steinfurter Aa river. Comprised of three main complexes – the Oberburg, the Unterburg, and the Schlossmühle – Schloss Burgsteinfurt has undergone numerous transformations and expansions throughout its storied past.

The History of Schloss Burgsteinfurt

The origins of Schloss Burgsteinfurt trace back to Rudolf II of Stenvorde, a noble lord of Steinfurt, who is credited with its construction. The first documented mention of his Saxon manor dates to 1129. Initially, the site featured a square residential tower with two-meter-thick walls, perched on a mound erected in the flat lowlands of the Aa river. The river was dammed and diverted around the mound to form a moat. Shortly thereafter, the lords of Steinfurt built a formidable fortress tower, the Buddenturm, on another artificial island, forming the core of the present-day Oberburg.

In 1164, the castle was destroyed during a feud with the lords of Ascheberg Castle. However, with the support of the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald of Dassel, the owners rebuilt the castle. By the late 12th century, a chapel was added to the partially completed ring wall, featuring two sacred rooms on the ground and upper floors. The upper floor served as the castle church, while the lower floor was dedicated to funerary rites.

During the mid-13th century, the residential tower was converted into a knights' hall, as evidenced by its early Gothic pointed arch windows and the Gothic stepped gable. At the same time, the two separate islands were merged into a single entity surrounded by a common defensive wall.

The 13th century also saw the development of the Vorburg, or outer bailey, known as the Unterburg. This area housed not only farm buildings such as barns, stables, and granaries but also two Burgmannen houses, whose inhabitants were responsible for the security of the entire castle complex.

In 1421, the male line of the Steinfurt family died out, and the castle and its estates passed to Everwin of Götterwick through an heiress. That same year, Everwin also inherited the County of Bentheim, and his family adopted the name Counts of Bentheim and Steinfurt. As the family resided on one of their many other estates, the castle in Steinfurt fell into disuse and gradually deteriorated.

To protect against the ambitions of the Prince-Bishopric of Münster, Steinfurt was enfeoffed to the Empire in April 1495 and elevated to an imperial county. This newfound imperial immediacy angered the Prince-Bishop of Münster, leading to recurring conflicts. Countess Walburg of Brederode was the first to reside permanently at the castle again, and from 1558 onwards, she and her son Arnold undertook extensive restoration, expansion, and conversion work to transform the fortress into a castle.

During the Thirty Years' War, the castle changed hands multiple times and suffered significant damage. In 1634, troops of the Prince-Bishop of Münster, Ferdinand I of Bavaria, occupied the castle and town, followed by Hessian forces in 1647 and imperial troops later. Although initial repairs began in 1661, the complete restoration occurred between 1706 and 1715, with further new constructions in the Baroque style between 1723 and 1729.

The mighty Buddenturm, with its five-meter-thick walls, lost its military significance due to advancements in weaponry by the late 18th century and was dismantled between 1773 and 1779. Its stones were used to construct nearly all the buildings in the Steinfurter Bagno. The ring wall was also demolished during this period.

From 1877 to 1898, the castle underwent restoration under the direction of Münster architect Franz Anton Nordhoff, who replaced many old structures with modern elements, including the stone bridge connecting the main and outer bailey islands, built in 1888.

Exploring Schloss Burgsteinfurt

Today, Schloss Burgsteinfurt remains in the possession of the princely family of Bentheim and Steinfurt and serves as their residence. Since 2009, the castle has been used exclusively for private purposes, and interior tours were no longer possible. However, since 2019, guided tours of the castle grounds have been available by appointment on the first Friday of each month at 10:00 AM, lasting approximately 1.5 hours for groups of at least ten people.

The castle is situated on two artificially raised islands surrounded by the Aa river, with the Vorburg located west of the main castle. North of the road lies the Schlossmühle with its associated weir systems. The main castle is a circular structure featuring elements from various architectural styles dating back to the 12th century. Among the oldest parts are remnants of the ring wall, the gate tower, and the Romanesque double chapel. Adjacent to the chapel is the New Stone House with the knights' hall. Noteworthy among the other buildings is the Countess Walburg House, built in 1559, with its magnificent two-story bay window adorned with rich early Renaissance ornaments, created by Münster sculptor Johann Brabender.

The Vorburg also boasts a ring wall. Of the original two Burgmannen houses, only the Rheinische Hof from 1617 remains. Two farm buildings now stand in place of the other.

The Schlosspark (Bagno)

Reichsgraf Karl Paul Ernst of Bentheim-Steinfurt initiated the creation of a French garden in the high forest southeast of the residence castle in 1765. In 1780, Count Ludwig of Bentheim-Steinfurt took over and introduced modern ideas of English gardens. By 1787, the first ground plan of the Bagno, published in Paris by French engraver Georges Louis Le Rouge, documented 105 different structures, water features, bridges, play areas, statues, islands, gardens, and paths spread over the relatively small area of 125 hectares.

The Bagno became the most significant park in Westphalia, as the local ruler opened it to the public. Since 2006, the Bagno Park has been a member of the European Garden Heritage Network.

The Concert Hall

The exact date of the concert hall's construction is unknown, but it was likely completed in 1774. Following extensive renovations completed in 1997, the historic concert hall, now known as the Bagno Concert Gallery Steinfurt, once again hosts a variety of concerts featuring internationally renowned artists.

In conclusion, Schloss Burgsteinfurt is not just a historical monument but a living testament to the rich and tumultuous history of the region. Its walls and grounds echo with stories of noble families, wars, and artistic endeavors, making it an unmissable attraction for anyone visiting the picturesque town of Steinfurt.