ヴァールスブルクの洞窟・トップ14

街を見下ろす美しい城の複合施設。

A large, publicly accessible castle complex with buildings of very different architectural styles. Unfortunately, the residential tower is not accessible.

The village first appears at the end of the 8th century under the name Heristal, presumably named by Charlemagne, who set up his military camp here in 797/798 during the Saxon War. The Karlstein, located just a few meters from Herstelle Castle, is believed to commemorate Charlemagne's stay, but it still poses many mysteries today. The castle, which is the landmark of Herstelle, was first mentioned in local history in 1292. The current castle building was built between 1826 and 1832 as a manor house, where later well-known personalities such as Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, whose 200th birthday was celebrated in 1997, and the Brothers Grimm often enjoyed staying. After World War II, the castle was used as a recreational facility by its various owners until 1983. A planned conversion into a hotel could not be realized, and thus the castle's future remains uncertain. Not far from the castle is the Benedictine Abbey of the Holy Cross, acquired in 1899 by Benedictine nuns from Luxembourg who had to leave their home monastery in Trier. The nuns living here live according to the principle of "ora et labora" and are also active in the artistic and literary fields. The nuns secure their livelihood through the sale of handicrafts and books in a book and art shop attached to the monastery. Income from the monastery garden also helps the nuns finance their living expenses. In the center of Herstelle is the Catholic Church of St. Bartholomew, built in 1711. Particularly noteworthy are the colorful stained glass windows in the six windows of the nave, which include a depiction of Charlemagne. Source: https://www.herstelle.de/unser-dorf/

Great view of Herstelle.

Quite ok for a break.

Good place to rest at the moated castle, with a very rustic overnight stay

The Wülmersen moated castle was founded around 1108, as can be dated from the buildings. It was owned by the Helmarshausen monastery. Around 1330 the Knights of Stockhausen ran a farm here. Over time, the medieval courtyard was expanded, the wooden ape was diverted for a moat and a new house was built next to the medieval estate. After homeless refugees were settled here after the Second World War, the medieval estate ensemble remained completely unused and fell into disrepair, so that some buildings even collapsed. From 1987, painstaking work was carried out to rebuild it, so that the Wülmersen moated castle can now be admired again in its former glory. There is also a café on the site today, as well as an agricultural museum on the upper floor of the barn. The museum can be entered via the café. The 3 € entrance fee is to be paid at the cash desk of the café. The exhibition is very informative, not too big, but still very nice. Many photos from the region hang on the walls. You can certainly spend some time here, especially since each building on the estate also has its own information boards. An audio tour of Wülmersen can also be used for a fee.

In the meantime, a very nicely restored facility. In the 1950s the facility was abandoned and declared abandoned. In 1987 the sad remains were acquired by the Association for Education and Training (AuF) in the district of Kassel e.V. and the ruins were secured and rebuilt.