Groß-Schonebeck Castle

The castle of the Lords of Schonebeck was destroyed in 1270 in a feud by the Bishop of Münster, Gerhard von der Mark. It was rebuilt despite a prohibition. In 1398, the brothers Hermann, Rembode, and Johann von Schonebeck sold the castle to Bishop Otto von Hoya, the Dean and Chapter of Münster Cathedral. He had the castle, which included a judicial district, rebuilt as an official residence. After the secularization in 1813, the property was sold. Since 1832, the estate has been owned by the Duke of Croy.

The residential building, which is still preserved today, contains remnants of the first manor house of the Cathedral Chapter from the year 1400. It was originally completely surrounded by water. An existing side wing at the north end of the manor house was probably demolished before 1743. Of the old outer bailey buildings, the two-story square courthouse with its stair tower and narrow annex from the second half of the 16th century is still preserved. The courtroom was on the upper floor. The ground floor was used as a prison. The earthworks of the former ring moat system with a diameter of approx. 425 m from the early Middle Ages are still recognizable.