Hovestadt Castle

In the very south of Münsterland, in the valley of the River Lippe, lies a true treasure of the region. Hovestadt Castle with its marvellous baroque park is always worth a visit. Hovestadt Castle stands imposingly in the middle of a well-tended park, which is a real eye-catcher even for the Münsterland region.
The archbishops of Cologne built fortifications in many places along the Lippe to secure their borders, including Hovestadt. In 1152, Dietrich von Hovestadt is mentioned for the first time in documents with a permanent residence.

From knight's castle to family seat

Hovestadt Castle in Lippetal was first mentioned in documents in 1292. Due to its strategically favourable location at the Lippe crossing, it was destroyed several times in the Middle Ages, but was always rebuilt. Today's moated castle with the main castle was built between 1563 and 1572 by Laurenz von Brachum. The baroque outer bailey was designed by Johann Conrad Schlaun. The Counts of Plettenberg have owned the castle since 1726. They have lived there since 1733.

"New" historic baroque park

The baroque garden dates from the 18th century and was opened to the public in 1997 after restoration. During the restoration, great attention was paid to the historical structures of the baroque park.
The pilgrimage basilica of St Ida in Herzfeld and the moated castle of Haus Assen are also well worth a visit. If you want to explore the area by bike, you can cycle from Hovestadt Castle along the 100 Castles Route and the Römer-Lippe Route into the vastness of Münsterland.