In the charming town of Kempen, nestled in the Lower Rhine region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, stands the majestic Burg Kempen. This former state castle of the Archbishops of Cologne is a testament to medieval architecture and the rich history of the region. Its imposing structure and storied past make it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and casual tourists alike.
Burg Kempen’s origins trace back to the medieval period, serving as a defensive stronghold for the Electorate of Cologne. The castle was designed to protect the northwestern border of the archbishopric’s territory. It is considered one of the best-preserved castles from the 14th century in the region, alongside Burg Zülpich, due to its substantial original structure that has survived through the centuries.
The castle’s historical significance is further underscored by its role as the residence of the bailiff for the town and district of Kempen until 1794. It also served as the seat of the high court, with its towers functioning as prisons and dungeons. The castle’s rich history is marked by various phases of construction, destruction, and restoration, each adding layers to its fascinating story.
Burg Kempen is a two-winged brick structure with a nearly triangular layout, featuring round towers at its corners crowned with battlements. The castle’s two-story wings rise above a basement with barrel vaults, meeting at a right angle. A continuous pointed arch frieze runs along the cornice under the roof, adding to the castle’s gothic charm.
Originally surrounded by a double ring of water-filled moats, only the southern part of the inner moat remains today. The walls of the castle vary in thickness, with the southwestern and southeastern walls measuring 1.25 meters thick, while the other sides boast walls up to 2 meters thick. A four-arched stone bridge leads over the now-dry moat to the 20-meter-high pointed arch portal tower, which protrudes about 1.5 meters from the west facade. The portal is framed by stone, with the chain holes of the former drawbridge still visible.
Above the entrance, a double coat of arms carved in tuff stone, surrounded by gothic tracery in the form of a quatrefoil, identifies Friedrich von Saarwerden as the builder of the castle. The coat of arms features a cross symbolizing the Archdiocese of Cologne and a double-headed eagle representing the County of Saarwerden. A niche above the entrance houses a statue of Thomas à Kempis, commemorating the castle’s time as home to the Thomaeum Gymnasium.
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Throughout its history, Burg Kempen has undergone numerous transformations. In the 17th century, Ferdinand of Bavaria remodeled the castle in the late Renaissance style, turning it into a representative residence. However, a fire in the mid-19th century destroyed significant parts of the structure. The subsequent reconstruction in the historicist style stripped the building of its palatial character, reverting it to a more castle-like appearance.
The castle’s west wing, the longer of the two wings, measures approximately 46.5 meters in width and 12 meters in depth, with a height of about 15 meters from the bottom of the moat to the pointed arch frieze. The wing features cross and cross-bar windows on the ground and first floors. Before the 19th-century renovations, the outer wall of the wing was 2.7 meters thick, but it was reduced to a maximum of 0.95 meters during the reconstruction. The first floor once housed a chapel, with a single narrow pointed arch window facing the courtyard.
The eastern wing is around 34 meters long, with a square tower protruding from its facade, reminiscent of a slender pillar. The tower transitions into an octagonal shape at the roof level, featuring pendentives. Inside, the tower once contained a spiral staircase. The castle’s three round corner towers, ranging in height from 22.5 to 28.5 meters, vary in diameter and wall thickness. The west tower, with a diameter of 8.5 meters, has walls 2.4 meters thick at the base, tapering to 2.25 meters higher up. The thinner south tower has walls only 1.4 meters thick in the upper floors and features machicolations. The east tower has walls 2.15 meters thick at the base, tapering to 2 meters at the top, with domed tower rooms on the upper floors.
Today, Burg Kempen is a protected monument, housing the Kempen City Archives, the Viersen District Archives, and the district’s adult education center. Since June 2010, the Niederrhein Cultural Area office has also occupied some of the castle’s office spaces. While the interior of the castle can only be visited by prior arrangement, the exterior grounds are open to the public at all times, offering a glimpse into the castle’s historical grandeur.
Burg Kempen is not just a relic of the past; it is a living monument that continues to serve the community while preserving its rich history. A visit to this remarkable castle is a journey through time, offering a unique insight into the medieval architecture and history of the Lower Rhine region.
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