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Germany
North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Euskirchen
Hellenthal

Mathias Gate (Reifferscheid Castle Gate)

Discover
Places to see

Castles

Germany
North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Euskirchen
Hellenthal

Mathias Gate (Reifferscheid Castle Gate)

Highlight • Castle

Mathias Gate (Reifferscheid Castle Gate)

Recommended by 358 hikers out of 363

This Highlight is in a protected area

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Naturpark Hohes Venn-Eifel

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    Location: Hellenthal, Euskirchen, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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    Best Hikes to Mathias Gate (Reifferscheid Castle Gate)

    4.7

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    1. View over Hellenthal – Reifferscheid Castle loop from Hellenthal

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    Moderate

    4.7

    (169)

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    2. Reinzelbachtal Nature Reserve – View of Hellenthal loop from Reifferscheid

    13.8km

    04:00

    360m

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    Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Moderate

    4.7

    (94)

    417

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    3. Wildenburg Castle – Reifferscheid Castle loop from Benenberg

    13.7km

    04:01

    380m

    380m

    Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Moderate

    Tips

    April 9, 2023

    Reifferscheid Castle was a medieval hilltop castle typical of the Eifel. Built on the spur of a mountain ridge, this type of castle offered optimal protection against attackers. Reifferscheid is first mentioned in 1106, when Duke Henry of Lower Lorraine burned down his base there to prevent it from falling into the hands of Henry V, the opponent of his liege lord Emperor Henry IV.
    In a document from 1130, Reifferscheid is recorded as a castrum (castle). At that time, the Archbishop of Cologne confirmed that the chapel in Reifferscheid had been elevated to the status of a church. The von Reifferscheid noble family appeared as holders of the rule since 1195 and remained so until it was expropriated by the French revolutionary army in 1794. Since the 16th century, the family, which had continuously increased in property and importance, only rarely ruled from their own headquarters. Today's entire complex with outer bailey and fortified castle settlement makes the transformation of the former seat of power clearly understandable. Since the economic prerequisites were lacking, urban development did not occur here.

    The external fortifications from the 14th and 15th centuries include the castle settlement with a market square and the parish church of St. Matthias (formerly Holy Cross). Through the Matthias Gate and the castle settlement you reach the outer bailey area, which is in front of the main castle to the south and east as a kennel. The core of the main castle dates back to the Hohenstaufen period in the 12th century, but the majority of the surviving remains date from the 14th century. This Gothic castle had a mighty keep, shield walls to the north and west, a fortified gatehouse to the south and a palace with slender corner towers to the east. When the castle and castle settlement were besieged in 1385 by members of the Landfriedensbund with a stone-throwing machine, a so-called Blide, the entire complex must have been completed.
    Source:
    kuladig.de/Objectansicht/O-UM-20130904-0003

    Translated by Google •

      May 24, 2024

      A gate with history

      Translated by Google •

        April 6, 2021

        Very beautiful old castle complex in the Eifel. With very well preserved and well-kept houses

        Translated by Google •

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          Elevation 460 m

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          Location: Hellenthal, Euskirchen, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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