A small old town with a castle, watermill, and gatehouse with a terrace located directly on the Schwalm River.
Absolutely worth seeing!
Brüggen owes its origins to its geographical location. Situated at the only passable ford over the Schwalm River, the first settlement (first documented in 897) developed at the intersection of two trade routes between the Rhine and the Meuse. The Counts of Kessel on the Meuse relocated the administration of their eastern possessions to Brüggen and, following models from the Netherlands, built Brüggen Castle from marl and brick on a roughly 16-meter-wide gravel island in the Schwalm River.
The first mention of Brüggen Castle and the town of Brüggen can be found in a marriage certificate dated December 24, 1289. Around 1306, Brüggen Castle was inherited by the Counts of Jülich. In 1350, it was expanded into the Jülich state fortress. Around 1473, soldiers of the Burgundian King Charles the Bold (1433–1477) conquered and plundered Brüggen Fortress and its castle. A year later, the Counts of Guelders plundered it again. The castle, now severely damaged, was repaired and expanded with a second story. The Counts of Moers received Brüggen Castle as a pledge, and around 1494, it was repurchased by the Counts of Jülich-Berg.
In 1526, the fortifications of the town and castle were renovated and enlarged. Between 1561 and 1577, further construction work was carried out, and the fortifications were adapted to the development of offensive weapons. The oldest surviving drawing of Brüggen Castle dates from around 1623. It shows the castle as a closed complex with four towers (spired roofs). Around 1770, the ducal court architect Klees rebuilt the Rentei. The earthworks surrounding the castle were partially demolished. In 1794, Brüggen was occupied by French troops, and the Brüggen district was dissolved.
Source:
rheinruhronline.de/niederrhein/niederrheinteil2/brueggen/burgbrueggen.htm