Senden Castle

Magnificent lime trees line the path to Senden Castle in the municipality of Senden – a remarkable piece of cultural heritage with a construction history stretching back over 500 years. Its architectural diversity illustrates the development from a late medieval castle complex into a stately moated castle. It is a prime example of the redesign of country estates in the 18th century. The green spaces, moats, axes and avenues were also incorporated into the design.

An ancient Westphalian noble family

Its origins are closely linked to the castles of Kakesbeck and Vischering. In the Middle Ages, the site was home to the Benekamp estate of the Lords of Senden, a Westphalian noble family. In the 15th century, it was converted into a moated castle. The manor house, with its striking three-tiered gable, was probably built around 1460 and is a prime example of the Renaissance in Westphalia.

In 1957, the Droste zu Senden family sold their estate to the Funnemann brothers. From then until the year 2000, the property underwent a chequered history with various uses, ranging from a commercial college with a boarding school to a care home for the elderly, and eventually a hotel and restaurant. It then stood empty for 15 years.