Jünkerath Castle – Glaadt Castle
In the Middle Ages, Glaadt was even more important than Jünkerath, which at the time was just a smelting settlement. Therefore, a castle was built on this spot by Count Dieterich von Schleiden in the 14th century.
The castle was besieged and conquered several times, mainly by the Archbishops of Trier. In 1488 the Counts of Manderscheid-Blankenheim inherited the area through the division of Manderscheid. Due to dilapidation, the late medieval complex was demolished and rebuilt by Count Arnold as a moated castle between 1605 and 1610. The entrance with a drawbridge was in the western part.
From 1694 - 1705 Count Salentin Ernst spent the last years of his life in the castle, where he also died.
1726 - 1735 Count Franz Georg had a major renovation carried out and the castle converted into a palace complex. The castle has a square floor plan and consisted of two floors, high arched windows adorned the west wing. In the courtyard there is a fountain and paving made of quartz stones with ornaments.
Next to the castle there was a mill, a bakery and a brewery, as well as a riding arena and gardens with a baroque ambience. In the area around the ruins, the former moat and the approximate extent of the complex, indicated by the remains of the wall, are also clearly visible.
Two years after completion, the castle burned down and has remained a ruin ever since. According to a legend, the fire was caused by a lightning bolt, as a punishment from God, since one is said to have blasphemed God at the inauguration ceremony.
In the 1970s - 1980s, the ruins were uncovered and restored with the participation of many volunteers and associations.