Welterode Castle (Eitorf)

Welterode is a simple three-story building, which was formerly said to be accessible only via a drawbridge and an outbuilding. In addition, there used to be a mill and another outbuilding, both of which fell victim to road construction in the 19th century. The possessions included Heckerhof, Juckenbacher Hof and Spicher Wald. Also included were vineyards on Eitorfer Berg, the mills at Eitorf, Ottersbach and Unkelmühle, as well as other lands near Linkenbach, on Krabach and near Kraheck.

The castle is first mentioned in a document in 1249. Mechthild, the widowed Countess of Sayn, donates Hof Mauchenrode and the tithes at Schönenberg and Waldenrode to Herchen Monastery.

In 1289, Welterode Castle was owned by the city of Cologne. In 1404, a Friedrich von Welteroide is mentioned, who reconciled with the city of Cologne.

The current building dates back at least to the 16th century, since when it has been in the possession of the Counts of Nesselrode-Ehreshoven.

In 1712, Peter Ennenbach married a Cillig and lived at Welteroth. In 1730, Henricus Barrig married Susanne Catharina Wilhelmina; he is also mentioned in other writings as Herr Henricus Barrich Kellmann, i.e., butler and administrator of the castle.

In 1870, the manor was sold by Imperial Count Maximilian von Nesselrode-Ehreshoven to Jakob von Kaufmann-Asser from Cologne, and soon thereafter to Count Hoensbroech at Türnich Castle, who remained the owner at least until 1938.