Page 93 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

DRIVE 8: Palaces and Castles of Münsterland 91

Nordwalde
Altenberge Hansell
Sprakel
Temming
BURG
HÜLSHOFF Above left Reconstructed Roman ruin in
Havixbeck 1 Kalkar 3 Schloss Raesfeld the Archäologischer Park, Xanten Above
Roxel
MÜNSTER North Rhine-Westphalia; 47546 North Rhine-Westphalia; 46348 right Moated entrance to Schloss Raesfeld
Albachten
Nottuln Stever Cafés and shops occupy the The 17th-century moated palace
Hiltrup patricians’ houses on Kalkar’s cob bled of Count Alexander II von Velen, VISITING XANTEN
Appelhülsen
Weddern Marktplatz, dominated by the 15th- Schloss Raesfeld, was described as a Parking
Senden Amelsbüren
Bocholt Rhede Borken Merfeld cen tury Rathaus. The square is a “trumpet blast in stone”, and is still an The town centre has limited parking
Westenborken Hiddingsel fine place to sit and soak up the impressive edifice with a fine Baroque space, but there is ample parking at
Dülmen
Millingen Heelden Mussum NORDRHEIN- Hausdülmen Stever Ottmarsbocholt atmosphere of this historic town. altar in its chapel. A river side walk the Archäologischer Park.
SCHLOSS
Wissel Dingden RAESFELD WESTF ALEN BURG Ascheberg Highlights include St Nikolaikirche through the garden behind the Tourist Information
Hönnepel Rees Raesfeld Sythen VISCHERING Lüdinghausen (open daily), whose stunningly intri- palace leads to a ruined watermill. Kurfürstenstrasse 9, 46509; 02801 983
Havelich Lembeck Seppenrade
KALKAR Hamminkeln Brünen Erle Rhade SCHLOSS Haltern Nordkirchen cate altars date from Kalkar’s golden ª Drive through Raesfeld and take the 00; www.xanten.de; open daily
LEMBECK
Marienthal SCHLOSS age in the 15th and 16th centuries; B224 at the roundabout on the outskirts
Kehrum Marienbaum Wulfen Hullern Stever NORDKIRCHEN the high altar was created by three of the town. Turn left at Erle to reach WHERE TO STAY
Schermbeck Freiheit
Flüren Olfen
Uedem Peddenberg Hervest Selm craftsmen over 12 years. Lembeck. Follow signs to the Schloss. XANTEN
XANTEN Beek Wesel Holsterhausen Marl Sinsen Lippe Hassel Werne ª Leave the town on Altkakaren
Lippe Hünxe Dorsten Datteln Strasse to the left of the church. Chateaux of Münsterland Van Bebber moderate
Friedrichsfeld Oer-Erkenschwick Housed in a Baroque town house,
Unterbirten Büderich
Balberg Hünxerwald Polsum Recklinghausen Waltrop Turn left at the roundabout on to Without a defensive hill anywhere this friendly family hotel has spacious
Voerde the B57 towards Xanten. Parking on the plains of Münsterland, feudal rooms with antique-style furnishings,
Alpen Grafschaft rulers in the Middle Ages turned
Ossenberg Dinslaken is available in the Archäologischer as well as an excellent restaurant that
Park and in Xanten’s Ostwall to water for protection. Broad specializes in game.
Rheinberg and Markt. moats were dug to encircle their Klever Strasse 12, 46509; 02801 66 23;
Wasserschlösschen. More powerful
www.hotelvanbebber.de
can nons and peace rendered such
2 Xanten defen ces obsolete in the 17th cen- AROUND SCHLOSS RAESFELD
North Rhine-Westphalia; 46509 tury, so aristocrats re-cre ated their Landhaus Keller moderate
Located by the mighty Rhine river, strong holds as chateaux-style status Overlooking meadows and the
Xanten was once a Roman metrop- sym bols. Around 100 of these remain Schloss, this hotel has relaxed
country decor, spa facilities and
olis known as Colonia Ulpia Traiana. within a 100-km (50-mile) radius of a good restaurant.
Münster, of which 40 are still owned
Today’s walled town was estab lished by the original noble families. Weseler Strasse 71, 46348 Raesfeld
around a memorial church, Dom (northeast of the Schloss); 02685 608
St Victor. Built on top of the grave 50; www.landhaus-keller.de
of the martyr St Victor, the church 4 Schloss Lembeck
was first named Ad Sanctos (by the North Rhine-Westphalia; 46286
saints), which was soon shortened The formidable gatehouse of the
to Xanten. moated Schloss Lembeck (Mar–Nov: EAT AND DRINK IN XANTEN
On the outskirts of the town is open daily) belies the Baroque ele-
the Archäologischer Park (open daily), gance inside. The Westphalian court Café de Fries inexpensive
Savoury crêpes, waffles, salads and
which, with its recon structed Roman architect Johann Conrad Schlaun snacks are served in this café-cum-
public build ings, hints at the scale intro duced Italianate style to the castle cake shop with a large terrace.
of this 1st-century port, which in the 17th century, when he rede- Kurfürstenstrasse 8, 46509; 02801
housed 10,000 people. A museum signed the Festsaal, or Celebration 20 68; www.cafe-defries.de
by the baths has displays on the Hall. Do visit the rhododendron park. Gotisches Haus moderate
town’s Roman past. ª Turn right from the entrance of One of Xanten’s oldest inns, this
ª Continue on the B57 and turn the castle and left at T-junction on to atmospheric place is spread over
left towards Wesel. Follow the B58 the B58. Drive through Haltern, turn left four floors. In summer, the beer
garden in its courtyard is open.
through Wesel to turn left on to the in Lüdinghausen at the white signpost Markt 6, 46509; 02801 70 64 00; www.
B70 to Raesfeld. Park at the Schloss. for “Burgen” and park at the castle. gotisches-haus-xanten.de; closed Mon
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €20; moderate, €20–€40; expensive, over €40
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