A fine veil of morning mist lies over the gently rolling hills of the Bergisches Land when Bensberg Castle suddenly rises out of the mist - it stands there, magnificent and majestic. The first rays of sunlight dance across the slate roof, bathing the baroque façade in golden light. If you walk up the avenue to the castle in the early morning, you will hear nothing but the gentle rustling of the treetops and the distant chime of the bells of St. Laurentius Basilica in the valley.
The view from the castle plateau is breathtaking: across the forest, the view opens up as far as Cologne, where the cathedral stands like a silhouette on the horizon. No wonder the Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg is one of the most exclusive hotels in Germany today. The luxury accommodation with 77 rooms, 34 suites and three restaurants, where stars such as Robbie Williams, Rihanna and Paul McCartney have spent the night since its conversion in 1997, was once a field hospital during the War of Coalition and the War of Liberation against Napoleon. Between 1793 and 1794 as well as 1813 and 1815, wounded soldiers were treated and serious illnesses fought in the fairytale Baroque castle. Meanwhile, guests can take a break in the four-elements spa, enjoy the award-winning food of two-star chef Joachim Wissler in the Vendôme or attend a Royal Tea Time.
Architectural treasures and green oases along the way
Did the founder of the palace, Jan Wellem, have any idea of the transformation his hunting lodge was about to undergo? He commissioned the palace in 1703 from the Italian architect Matteo d'Alberti, whose style was inspired by Versailles Palace and Winchester Castle. For the interior design, the Elector engaged renowned contemporary artists such as Antonio Bellucci, Antonio Pellegrini, Jan Weenix and Domenico Zanetti.
But it's not just the castle that is picturesque, as guests who go on a hike in Bergisch Gladbach during their stay will discover: Bergische Streifzug number 13, the "Bensberger Schlossweg", takes travelers on a three-hour circular walk to architectural treasures, green oases and places steeped in history. Wonderful impressions of nature can be found between trees, streams and bushes over a distance of around ten kilometers. Along the way, you will find the Schlosshotel Lerbach, the early Erdenburg castle and the Bensberg town hall, which star architect Gottfried Böhm designed in the brutalist style in the 1960s on the ruins of the old Bensberg castle.
By the way:Visiting just this one castle would be far too much of a shame. NRW is the state with the most palaces and castles in Germany. To make it easier for you to choose, we have found a perfect counterpart for Bensberg Castle: Homburg Castle. Find out more about the duo here.
