Cultural asset Haus Nottbeck

The history of this old moated castle dates back to the 14th century: the "gud te Nuttbeke" is first mentioned in a document dated 23 April 1366. Since the 15th century, the estate was owned by the noble family von Oer. With them, Nottbeck experienced a 300-year period of prosperity. Around 1800, the manor house in particular underwent significant changes: The impressive classicist manor house was built, which today houses the Museum of Westphalian Literature.

Official residence for the district administrator

The estate really came into the limelight at the beginning of the 19th century when Haus Nottbeck became the official residence of Clemens Wenzelaus von Oer, district administrator of the then Beckum district. His sons made a national reputation for themselves as artists - Maximilian Josef von Oer as a writer and Theobald von Oer as a visual artist. Some particularly impressive works by the latter can be admired in the nearby Liesborn Abbey Museum.

The last owner bequeathed the old knight's seat to the district of Warendorf in 1987. After the use was unclear for a long time, the Museum of Westphalian Literature was opened in 2001. In the years that followed, the old walls were lovingly restored without interfering too much with the overall effect of the complex.