Customs castle Schöneflieth Greven

On the south bank of the Ems , just before the Ems bridge to Greven, once lay the so important Schöneflieth customs castle. Until the beginning of modern times, this was the location of the castle, which today is only illustrated by a beam construction and a banner. A sign directly on the Ems cycle path refers to the former customs castle.

On the southern bank of the Ems and at the same time on the Ems cycle path, shortly before the Ems bridge to Greven, today only a sign refers to the once so important Schöneflieth customs castle, of which almost nothing remains. Until the beginning of modern times, this was the site of the castle; today, a beam construction and a banner illustrate the original location, size and appearance of the castle. Both in terms of structural changes and its political and military significance, Schöneflieth Castle stands for a turbulent and eventful history. It was first mentioned in a document in 1257. Due to its strategically favourable location, it was a point of contention between ecclesiastical and secular power and was considered a place of residence and retreat for robber barons and bishops. At the time of the Anabaptists, the cathedral lords of Münster took refuge in the castle, and during the battles of the Dutch against the Spanish, merchants found protection from marauding troops in the castle. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was looted and the buildings fell into disrepair until it was sold for demolition at the beginning of the 19th century. In 1987, the Schöneflieth Castle area was declared a monument and placed under protection. Excavations brought new insights into the history of Schöneflieth Castle.

The grounds of the former Schöneflieth customs castle are freely accessible.