Top 20 Castles around Balve

On the edge of the Balver Wald forest, Schloss Wocklum lies like a quiet ensemble of moats, courtyard buildings, and baroque facade. The traditional estate, with its old avenues and the nearby Luisenhütten area, appears as a calm counterpoint to the surrounding high-altitude trails. It is a good choice for an atmospheric stopover - steeped in history, rural, and wonderfully embedded in the Sauerland cultural landscape.

Located above the Ruhr, the former collegiate church forms a quiet, almost monastic accent in the cityscape. The clear Baroque forms, the courtyard, and the old collegiate church tell of centuries of spiritual history. The ensemble is a short, atmospheric stop - a silent contrast to the wooded heights around Meschede.

Herdringen Castle The Herdringen manor was first documented in 1376. Until 1543, it belonged to the von Ketteler family, and thereafter to the von Westrem family. In 1618, the Prince-Bishop of Paderborn, Dietrich von Fürstenberg, purchased it and bequeathed it to his nephew. Since then, the estate has belonged to the Barons von Fürstenberg. The three-winged outer bailey was built between 1683 and 1723. The actual castle was built between 1844 and 1853 according to plans by Ernst Friedrich Zwirner. Zwirner, as an architect, also completed Cologne Cathedral. The castle chapel is therefore a reminder of this important building. One of the highlights of its almost 700-year history was the visit of the Prussian King Frederick William IV, who stayed at the castle in 1853. Even today, one of the halls bears the name "King's Hall." ...* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** *** *** *** *** After the occupation, the castle was leased to the Paderborn Diocesan Caritas Association from 1947 to 1968, and then to a private school operator until 1998. Since the turn of the millennium, the current owner, Baron Wennemar von Fürstenberg, has dedicated himself to the restoration of the property. For the past 20 years, the castle has served as an upscale event venue, hosting numerous weddings, concerts, conferences, and other events, all enjoying the exceptional ambiance of its beautiful historic rooms. Currently, the castle is only open by appointment. https://www.schloss-herdringen.de/

I don't understand why this should be a road bike highlight 🤔 The path by the game reserve is a bumpy path, more for hikers or MTB/Gravel.

The English landscape park around the castle is beautiful to look at from the outside. With a bit of luck, you can also see the wildlife that lives there. You can only enter the park and the castle by appointment or during events. You can find more information at https://www.schloss-herdringen.de/.

Due to the limited space, the manor house was rebuilt in the English Tudor style in the 1840s. The plans for the new building came from cathedral master builder Ernst Friedrich Zwirner. The blue-reddish stone blocks come from the nearby Effenberg quarry. Stone from Menden and Herdecke was used for the cornices and windows. The stones for the foundation and interior walls came from the Sternhelle quarry. The new building is built as an elongated square with an open courtyard. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Berlin architect Ernst von Ihne carried out extensive interior renovations and redesign. In 1853, the then Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV visited the castle. In the 1960s, Herdringen Castle was the filming location and backdrop for the two Edgar Wallace films "The Black Abbot" and "The Forger of London". In 2008, the castle was used for filming the ZDF series "Krupp - A German Family". Today it is available as a venue for celebrations and company events. In addition, concerts are also held on the grounds. Fettes Brot, BAP, Roger Cicero, Die Fantastischen Vier and Atze Schröder have performed here, among others. The castle can only be visited by groups after prior registration. In 2022, the castle, together with its associated properties, was transferred to a cultural foundation. The castle is to be converted into a museum

The plane wreckage has now been cleared away. Measures are currently underway to make the castle and the art collection it houses accessible to the public.

This castle is privately owned.