Special lecture on Diepenbrock Castle

Bocholt. On Saturday, September 24, Barlo local historian Franz-Josef Lensing will talk about the history of Barlo Castle Diepenbrock, which only a few weeks ago awoke from its "slumber", as part of the 800th anniversary of the city.

The name "Diepenbrock" means something like "deep in the breach" and suggests a rough, swampy terrain. Haus Diepenbrock was first mentioned in a document in 1326, although the original building must be older. Once it was a simple tower with a moat.

In the course of the centuries it was structurally extended several times until a medieval castle was built. It also included an outer castle with a gatehouse from 1532, which is still preserved today.

In the 16th century, the castle of the von Diepenbrock family passed to the von Welevelds by marriage. In 1733 the von Graes family bought the castle by auction. They gave Haus Diepenbrock its present appearance. They rebuilt it into a late Baroque moated castle, which from then on served representative residential purposes. She also created a baroque garden based on the French model, of which only a few traces remain today.

On September 24 at 1 p.m. in the castle's festival barn, Franz-Josef Lensing will describe the history of the building, the three noble families who owned it, the castle as an agricultural enterprise with tenant farms, and court life, which included gardeners, servants, maids, chambermaids, and much more.

Admission is free. Afterwards there is a possibility to take a guided tour around the castle and order coffee and cake.