Top 20 Castles around Witten

The ruin, which has been a listed monument since 1909, now houses a castle restaurant, among other things. More than 650 couples have already used the great location.

Blankenstein Castle, a 13th century hilltop castle with a square keep, offers wonderful views of the Ruhr, Kemnader Lake and its moated castle. The castle restaurant also hosts knights' festivals in the castle courtyard. The Gethmann Garden, laid out in 1808 by Commercial Councillor Gethmann not far from the castle, is considered one of the first landscape gardens in Germany.

Today only an impressive ruin remains of the former Isenburg, which was built in the 12th century for Count Arnold von Altena on the Isenberg. In the middle of the ruins stands the Custodis House, which was built around 1855 in the classicist style.

From April to around November, there are demonstrations on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. and workshops from time to time at the Hardenstein castle ruins.

The sculptures provide a nice, unexpected change on this section of the trail. The interior of the castle and the workshops display other sculptures worth seeing.

Blankenstein Castle towers high above the Ruhr. From here it once dominated the Ruhr valley. The old fortress from the 13th century is now a popular destination. The keep offers the visitor a fantastic view over the Ruhr. If you visit Blankenstein Castle, Blankenstein Castle towers high above the Ruhr. should definitely take the stairs to the 30 meter high keep, even if they get very narrow in some places. But hardly reached the top, a fantastic view compensates for the effort of the ascent. Fantastic view over the Ruhr Valley Far below, the Ruhr meanders on one of the most beautiful sections of the Ruhr Valley from Bochum to Hattingen. In the north-west, the water surface of Lake Kemnader spreads out in front of the viewer's eyes, in the north you can see the old village of Stiepel. In the south you can see the Katzenstein nature reserve. From up here you also have a beautiful view of the Alte Freiheit Blankenstein, whose half-timbered houses invite you to go for a walk. The ice cream parlor on the market square is a popular meeting point in the Ruhr area in summer. A castle with an eventful history Blankenstein Castle was built in 1226 by the Count von der Mark using the stones from the polished Isenburg. Almost 100 years later, more precisely at Pentecost of the year 1321, Count Engelbert II granted the city of Bochum city rights. The last extensions to Blankenstein Castle were not completed until around 1398. At the end of the 15th century, however, the castle lost its importance and was occupied by Spanish troops in 1614. About 50 years later, the castle has fallen into disrepair and the Elector gives the Syberg family permission to demolish it so that they can use the stones to further expand their inherited property, Haus Kemnade. From 1860 the Blankenstein Castle was used as a factory by the ironmonger Gustav von Stein. His son later set up the first restaurant there. In 1922, the city of Bochum acquired Blankenstein Castle and renovated the remaining fortifications by 1971.

The works of art are usually built as large as the original living animals. A real eye-catcher.

Here you cycle through the idyllic Muttental - the cradle of Ruhrpott mining. Hardenstein Castle was there even earlier than the tunnels, but today you can only marvel at the (yet impressive) remains. It is located directly on the Ruhr and is a nice place to take a break. Apropos Ruhr: If you plan to follow the Ruhrtal cycle path, there is another cool highlight waiting for you next door. Here you have to cross the Ruhr, but without a bridge. It is made possible by the only ferry connection along the river cycle path. The electric passenger ferry brings you silently to the other bank.