Droste Landscape: Poetry Trail

Annette von Droste-Hülshoff (1797-1848) is probably one of Germany's most important poets. But that was not always the case: when she died, her work was virtually unknown. Even her family did not take her talent seriously. Her first book of poems did not sell 100 copies. Some labelled her texts "incomprehensible". Despite the criticism, Droste continued and in 1842 completed "Die Judenbuche", probably her best-known work. Gradually she gained more followers. But shortly afterwards she died for health reasons. Shortly before, she had noted in a letter: "I don't like or want to be famous now, but after a hundred years I want to be read." And she was! Before the euro was introduced in Germany, her face even graced the 20-mark note.

Hülshoff Castle was first mentioned in documents in the 11th century. It is best known as the ancestral seat of the old Westphalian noble family Droste zu Hülshoff. The most famous member of the family was also born here: Annette von Droste-Hülshoff. She spent the first half of her life in the castle. Today, the moated castle houses, among other things, the Droste Museum, which provides an insight into the life of the poetess and the nobility of the time.

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Haus Rüschhaus is a country estate in the Nienberge district of Münster. The origins of the house lie in the dark. What is known is that it was already owned by the bishops of Münster in the 14th century. After the death of her father, Annette von Droste-Hülshoff moved with her mother and sister from Hülshoff Castle to the Rüschhaus. The small manor house was redesigned and extended by the famous Westphalian baroque architect Johann Conrad Schlaun. Her brother, on the other hand, took over the family seat.

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