Lohe Castle (Westönnen)

Haus Lohe (also known as Schloss Lohe) was first mentioned in a document in 1281. Originally, it belonged to the Cäcilienkloster in Cologne. Knight Heinrich Wulf von Lüdinghausen bought it in 1350. It remained in family ownership until about 1700 and then passed to the von Wrede family through marriage. The hereditary salt-boiler family von Papen bought the estate in 1738. The noble residence in its current form was extended in 1855 and 1885 by the Cologne Cathedral master builder of the Cologne Cathedral Workshop, Vinzenz Statz from Cologne. A chapel and tower were added to the baroque part. The renovation resulted in a three-winged building in the Neo-Gothic style, with a total area of approximately 700 sqm. The Ducal Nassau Garden Director Thelemann from Biebrich established the romantic park. In the period after its construction, the castle-like manor house was considered the youngest and most beautiful moated castle. Today, Haus Lohe, with the former administrator's house and the farm buildings, is situated amidst a park-like area with ponds, moats, and lush trees. It is now privately owned. Numerous apartments have been created. Several companies and artists have their premises in outbuildings.