The manor house of Altendorf Castle is a former water-fenced knight's seat. The original owners were the Lords of Hambroich zu Wolfskeil, an old noble family from Cleves. In 1550, Johann Roist von Wers was enfeoffed with the castle, who was also the lord of Niederdrees. It was probably destroyed in 1673. In the 18th century, the zum Pütz family from Cologne is named as the lord of the castle. Johann Kaspar Josef Zum Pütz, mayor of Cologne, who died in 1770, called himself Lord of Groß-Altendorf. The castle later belonged to the Lords of Mandheux from Bonn.
A filled-in well, the remains of the foundation wall and the two-storey manor house built in the 18th century in place of the destroyed castle have been preserved from the former castle. This rests on a high plinth in three axes on each of the eaves sides. The entrance with a modern staircase is located on the rear eaves side. The weather vane of the manor house bears the date 1896, while the former servants' quarters and parts of the farmyard adjoin the northern eaves side. In the barn belonging to house number 1, there are remains of quarrystone masonry from the 16th century in the outer wall. In 1810, Anton Wolf, the head of the parish of Altendorf, bought the castle.
The building was used as a school from 1838 to 1903; it was rented out as a flat until 1985. After the manor house was listed as a historical monument in 1987, it was remodelled between 1990 and 1994.
The manor house, which is now owned by the town of Meckenheim, is a popular venue for cultural events of all kinds. The vaulted cellar, which was rediscovered during the renovation, also offers a charming ambience with its medieval atmosphere. Civil wedding ceremonies are also held there.
As a meeting place for Meckenheim's history and culture, the manor house is used as an exhibition space by the Meckenheim Town Museum and Cultural Forum Association. Further information on the exhibitions can be found at www.stadtmuseum-meckenheim.de
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