Schloss Wurzen was built in 1491-1497 in late Gothic style with elements of the early Renaissance by the Meißen bishop Johann VI. After its completion, he often resided here in addition to his stays at Stolpen Castle. In 1631 both towers burned down and were very badly damaged. Today Wurzen Castle is an unusually well-preserved residential palace from the late 15th century and the only Gothic bishop's palace with a restaurant and hotel.
The massive building on a rectangular floor plan with the south-east and north-west corner towers and the deep, dry moat with the medieval drawbridge mark the transition from a medieval castle to a late Gothic palace.
The room structure, the Wendelstein , the arched curtain windows on the towers and on the first floor, and above all the cell vaults with net-shaped figuration inside, point to a direct connection with Albrechtsburg Castle in Meißen, whose master builder Arnold von Westfalen significantly introduced the art of castle architecture in Saxony.
References:Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.
The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.