Germany’s only triangular castle, which still stands intact today, commemorates times past with two exhibitions. Historical exhibits in the south and east wings illustrate the development of the Prince-Bishopric of Paderborn. On the castle forecourt, a memorial site addresses various atrocities committed by the Nazis, which were planned and carried out around the Weser Renaissance castle beginning in 1933.
A dark chapter in German history casts a shadow over Wewelsburg Castle in Büren, yet perhaps for that very reason it is worth a visit as a historical site for learning and reflection overlooking the Alme Valley: Between 1933 and 1945, units of the Nazi Party’s so-called Schutzstaffel (SS) were stationed in the 17th-century Weser Renaissance castle, which Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler intended to expand into a central ideological gathering and training center.
He had a concentration camp built in the Wewelsburg district so that the planned renovation work could be carried out during World War II. At least 1,285 people died near the historic walls, which were blown up on Himmler’s orders in March 1945 and were only gradually rebuilt piece by piece several years after the end of the war.
Documents, Uniforms, and Construction Plans
Today, the former guardhouse on the castle forecourt, with its permanent exhibition “Ideology and Terror of the SS,” still bears witness to the atrocities that were committed or planned in the immediate vicinity. The memorial and remembrance site comprehensively chronicles the history of the SS with exhibits such as documents, uniforms, and architectural plans. A sense of oppression is still palpable today during the informative tour through the rooms.
At Wewelsburg Castle, those interested in culture and history will currently find another museum in the south and east wings—the modernized Historical Museum of the Prince-Bishopric of Paderborn. It focuses on the development of the Prince-Bishopric, as well as the origins of Germany’s only triangular castle, which still stands intact today.
Overnight Stay at the Youth Hostel
If you’d like to take a closer look at the history of the area—and the castle in particular—the youth hostel at Wewelsburg is the perfect place to stay. With over 200 beds, conference rooms, and a gym, it’s a popular lodging destination in the region. From here, you can easily plan tours of the nearby countryside. Attractions such as the Hermann Monument in Detmold or the Externsteine near Horn are ideal destinations for a day trip.
