Wasserschloß Haus Rhade

As early as 991, Archbishop Heribert of Cologne, Chancellor of Emperor Otto III, acquired the freehold of the nobleman Benno and bequeathed it to the Benedictine Abbey of Deutz as an endowment when it was founded in 1003; the beginning of Haus Rhade.

The Wasserschloß Haus Rhade was thus already the center of a manorial estate association in the Middle Ages, which later owned land in the parishes of Lüdenscheid, Halver, Herscheid and especially Kierspe. Over the centuries, Haus Rhade was sold to a number of noble families until it became the property of the Schwietzke family in 1916, who still live in the castle today.

In terms of mining history, Haus Rhade became known through archaeological evidence of a close connection between noble houses and iron ore production. The remains of a blast furnace were excavated near the estate, which was in operation from around 1250-1450 and can be regarded as the forerunner of the modern blast furnace. The open-cast ore mining area was also located in the immediate vicinity of the site and the ironworks.

Today you can stay overnight in the historic walls. Several rooms and vacation apartments are available here. Celebrations are also possible here. All information can be found at: https://www.hausrhade.de/

Tip: At a Kierspe listening point, not far from the Wasserschloß Haus Rhade, you can use a QR code to find out exciting information about this historic building. You can find out more under the entry "Kierspe listening points".

All information without guarantee!