House Welbergen

Haus Welbergen is located about five kilometres from Ochtrup and is one of the region's most beautiful insider tips. It is a special feature within the Münsterland castles and palaces region and is in no way inferior to the other moated castles in terms of beauty and grace. Welbergen moated castle is set amidst tall trees, surrounded by moats and is considered a prime example of a medium-sized noble residence of this kind in the Münsterland region. The complex is rounded off by a lovingly designed garden.

• The garden is accessible at all times during the day.
• The interior rooms can be visited as part of a guided tour.
• Guided tours are available by appointment (except on Sundays and public holidays).

The Gräftenhof near Ochtrup was first mentioned in 1282. The eponymous "Lords of Welleberghe" resided on the estate from 1298 to 1330. The estate was not converted into a moated castle until the middle of the 16th century - this period is particularly evident in the exterior appearance of the detached manor house. Inside, the house was modernised and restored especially in the 18th century. Further construction phases can be seen on the outer castle and the ring wall with the Lady Chapel.

Even today, Haus Welbergen is surrounded by a ring of forts and consists of an outer and a main castle. The main house seems to float freely on the widened main rampart, which makes the estate particularly attractive. Visitors enter the courtyard of the outer bailey via a drawbridge. This is bordered by the gatehouse, the farm buildings and stables on one side and by a chapel and a wall with round corner towers on the other.

Haus Welbergen changed hands several times until banker Jodann van Heek acquired the moated castle in the late 1920s. Today, Haus Welbergen is owned by the "Bertha Jodaan van Heek Foundation", named after the last, art-loving owner. In addition to some treasures of fine and applied art, the house also houses an archive, the most important part of which is the correspondence from the circle of Baron von Fürstenberg and the Princess von Gallitzin.