The history of Raesfeld Castle dates back to the early 12th century. It was owned by the Lords of Raesfeld and came into the possession of the von Velen family at the end of the 16th century. From 1643 to 1658, the Imperial Count Alexander II von Velen, the 'Westphalian Wallenstein', had the castle converted into a residential palace in the Renaissance style. In the first half of the 18th century, the von Velen von Raesfeld dynasty died out. The castle was inhabited only irregularly and gradually fell into disrepair.
At the beginning of the 19th century, parts of the complex were demolished or used as an agricultural estate until the 20th century. Of the former four wings of the castle, only the west wing with the distinctive stepped tower and the adjoining old building to the north with a rebuilt round tower remain today.After the Second World War, the Chambers of Crafts of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, as the new owners, had the remains restored. Today, the castle is the seat of the Chambers of Crafts' further education and training institution and is used for cultural events and as a restaurant.
References:The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.
The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.
Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.