The moated castle of Burgsteinfurt is a ring-shaped castle complex that was first mentioned in 1129. The landscape had no natural protection to offer. The oldest moated castle complex in Westphalia therefore stands on a circular island surrounded by the Steinfurter Aa river.
The first market settlement, which later became Steinfurt, developed in the shadow of the castle. In 1164, the lords of Ascheberg destroyed the castle. It was then rebuilt with the help of the Archbishop of Cologne, Reinald von Dassel, for the lords Ludolf and Rudolf von Stenvorde (Steinfurt). Today, Steinfurt Castle consists of the upper castle, the lower castle and the castle mill.
The double chapel is particularly remarkable: two chapels are connected by an opening and were used on two levels until the 14th century. Steinfurt Castle is still privately owned today. It is occupied by the princely family of Bentheim and Steinfurt and houses the princely administration.
Steinfurt Castle is privately owned. It is therefore not possible to visit the interior. But you can explore and experience the grounds at any time. And it's worth it: from Burgstraße, which connects the town centre and Bagno Park, you have a wonderful view of the historic building across the water. The most beautiful photo motif is undoubtedly the gatehouse of the castle.
References:The Pilgrimage Church of Wies (Wieskirche) is an oval rococo church, designed in the late 1740s by Dominikus Zimmermann. It is located in the foothills of the Alps in the municipality of Steingaden.
The sanctuary of Wies is a pilgrimage church extraordinarily well-preserved in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley, and is a perfect masterpiece of Rococo art and creative genius, as well as an exceptional testimony to a civilization that has disappeared.
The hamlet of Wies, in 1738, is said to have been the setting of a miracle in which tears were seen on a simple wooden figure of Christ mounted on a column that was no longer venerated by the Premonstratensian monks of the Abbey. A wooden chapel constructed in the fields housed the miraculous statue for some time. However, pilgrims from Germany, Austria, Bohemia, and even Italy became so numerous that the Abbot of the Premonstratensians of Steingaden decided to construct a splendid sanctuary.