Heimerzheim Castle & Flamersheim CastleComing home

Cosy and enjoyable, hospitable and steeped in history: family-owned for generations are Heimerzheim Castle in Swisstal and Flamersheim Castle in neighbouring Euskirchen. Just 15 kilometres - and almost a hundred years - separate the two medieval complexes, which have been transformed by their current owners into modern hotels and event locations in a historic setting. If you like, you can simply spend a night here and a night there - and indulge in culinary delights to boot.

The aristocratic owners of Heimerzheim Castle, which was built in the mid-13th century, changed frequently over the centuries. In 1825, it became the property of the Barons of Boeselager, whose family still owns it today. Philipp Freiherr von Boeselager was also born here in 1917. He later joined the German resistance group led by Hitler assassin Count von Stauffenberg as a Wehrmacht officer and survived thanks to the secrecy of his co-conspirators. After his death in 2008, he is buried in the family burial ground on the castle grounds. Today, its historic centrepiece is the imposing, bright whitewashed main castle, which, like the elegant outer bailey and the former bakery (castle pavilion), is used as an event location. From the inner courtyard, the view opens up into the garden and the neighbouring park, which invites you to take long walks away from the hustle and bustle. However, the best view of the entire castle grounds can be enjoyed from one of the castle hotel's 21 country-style rooms.

Arriving at Flamersheim Castle quickly feels like coming home. The von Bemberg family welcomes its guests here in the centre of Euskirchen and yet secluded from the outside world. The former moated castle, which was later converted into a baroque palace, has been in their possession since 1861, when it was acquired by the widow Bemberg, a factory owner, whose son Julius was elevated to the nobility a good twenty years later. Today, landlord Johannes von Bemberg runs the business and, together with his partners, has created an Eifel world of pleasure on the premises. In an informal, modern atmosphere, they offer their visitors star gastronomy as well as down-to-earth, regional cuisine in the former manor house, the old coach house and the former cattle shed. Guests then spend the night in the castle's own hotel of the same name with a view of the picturesque pond and the noble house surrounded by a park.

Well rested, the next castle tour could start the very next day. There is hardly any other region with such a high density of historic aristocratic residences as the Rhein-Sieg district. Some of the most beautifully preserved examples, such as Drachenburg Castle in Königswinter or Adendorf Castle in the municipality of Wachtberg near Bonn, have been used as film sets several times and can be visited (sometimes only in groups). Meanwhile, you can reminisce about childhood memories at Wissem Castle in Troisdorf, which has been home to the internationally renowned picture book museum since the 1980s. And if you need a cultural breather after so much history and stories, it's best to mingle with the students studying and celebrating life on the lawn in Bonn's Hofgarten.