House Woord

Between Bocholt's city centre and the Aasee lake lies the imposing manor house Haus Woord. The original building was erected at the end of the 18th century, almost completely destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt in its original style by 1949. There are numerous sights, museums and excursion destinations around Haus Woord.

• The interior rooms contain private flats. It is therefore not possible to view the interior.
• An exterior tour is possible at any time.

Haus Woord is an elegant, two-storey mansion made of brick and ashlar. It was built between 1792 and 1795 in the classicist style. It was commissioned by Joseph von Raesfeld, who sold it in 1827 to Ludwig Schwartz, a textile manufacturer from Bocholt. In 1830, the latter also acquired the associated land and built steam-powered spinning and weaving mills on it.

In the courtyard of honour in front of the manor house are four statues of the ancient gods Diana, Aurora, Apollo and Mercury. The originals were made around 1700 by the Münster sculptor Johann Mauritz Gröninger for the castle garden in Ahaus and are among the most important secular sculptures of the 17th and 18th centuries in Westphalia. They probably stood in front of Haus Woord from the early 19th century until they were returned to Ahaus in 1986. The statues on display here today are faithful reproductions of the originals.

During the Second World War, Haus Woord was destroyed down to its foundation walls and rebuilt in the original style by 1949. Of the entire former company grounds, only the plot on which Haus Woord stands remains. The main building houses private flats and a lawyer's office. The outbuildings mainly house business premises. A tour of the exterior is possible at any time.