The castle is located in the heart of the city, only a few metres from the popular pedestrian zone and gives Ahaus a special charm. This makes the castle not only a landmark of the town, but also its centre.
Directly attached to Ahaus Castle is the school museum. The gatehouse museum is also worth seeing. In addition to everyday objects, it displays luxury items from prince-bishops' possessions as well as evidence from Ahaus factories in changing exhibitions. Medieval and modern life in Ahaus is characterised by an exciting interaction, which can be seen in many ways in the exhibition.
Another highlight is the castle concerts that have been held in the Fürstensaal since 1952. They have carried the name of Ahaus far into the country.
Ahaus Castle is the former hunting residence of the Prince-Bishops of Münster in Ahaus. As early as the beginning of the 11th century, a castle stood on the site of today's baroque building, which belonged to the noble lords of Ahaus and passed into the possession of the prince bishop of Münster in 1406.
Between 1688 and 1695, the Capuchin monk Ambrosius von Oelde built the hunting lodge by order of the prince-bishop Friedrich Christian von Plettenberg. From 1765 to 1767, the Baroque master builder Johann Conrad Schlaun added a central risalit with a large flight of steps to the garden front after the destruction in the Seven Years' War.
In the 19th century, the castle housed a tobacco factory, among other things. In 1945 it was hit by a bombing raid and burnt out completely. The baroque furnishings of the rooms, which had been preserved until then, were lost. The district of Ahaus bought the ruins and had them rebuilt. Today the castle is owned by the district of Borken and houses the Ahaus Technical Academy. The district court of Ahaus is located directly next door. As the most important monument in the town of Ahaus, the castle is also the centre of cultural life.
Would you like to learn more about the castle? Dr. Volker Tschuschke, the district's municipal historian, takes you on an exciting audio journey through history and tells you captivating anecdotes from castle life in days gone by: exhilarating baroque festivals, princely concerts and contemporary theatre. Schloss Ahaus was a real bon vivant!
Eine Innenbesichtigung von Schloss Ahaus ist nur nach Absprache mit der örtlichen Tourist-Information möglich.
A tour of the outdoor facilities is free of charge.
As if the stars had fallen from the sky, a boundless sea of lights spreads out before your eyes. With over 3000 candles and 300 old travel trunks, Theatre Anu creates a unique, dreamlike world. Step into an endless maze of lights and find your way. In the midst of the sea of lights you will find quiet islands full of poetry. Figures who captivate you with short, touching stories. Stories full of hope and longing that tell of life's great journey.
This production turns the labyrinth into a symbol of life's journey. People who enter the labyrinth reach the centre, the middle, themselves. The journey of life is reflected in the hero's journey - the basis of many epics and fantastic stories. In the atmosphere of thousands of candles, thinking quickly turns into a reverie of poetic images. Thinking theatre like a poem, as a condensation into beauty - this is the motto of the popular theatre Anu.
Not pain and conflict as in drama are the focus of his poetic understanding of theatre, but reconciliation, hope, and the kindling of longing, combined with a smile on the faces of the visitors.
Spielrunden
Freitag: 20:00h / 20:30h
Samstag: 20:00h / 20:30h/ 21h
jeweils für ca. 150 Personen, Spieldauer pro Runde ca. 80 Minuten
The traditional event Fanfaren, Flammen, Feuerwerk (fanfares, flames, fireworks) offers a flame spectacle and fireworks, music highlights, shows and shopping.
Sunday starts with a book market in the Ahaus city centre from 1.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. All bookworms and book lovers will get their money's worth here. At the same time, the shops in the city centre open their doors.
As soon as dusk falls, the Ahauser Schloss shines in soft hues. The fanfares sound and attract hundreds of visitors to Sümmermannplatz, who eagerly await the grand finale of the day. The grand firework display, which crowns the day by illuminating the dark evening sky in many different facets.
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