Hamm Castle

Hamm Castle, locally known as Schloss Hamm, lies above the hamlet of the same name, northwest of the city of Bitburg in the Rhineland-Palatinate region in Germany.

Hamm Castle was first mentioned in 1052 when it was a feudal castle owned by the Counts of Vianden who were related to its inhabitants; the Lords of Hamm. They were protectors of the Abbey of Prüm.

The castle has had several owners; the Lords of Clervaux from Luxembourg and from Belgium; the Counts of Tornaco and Renesse and the Counts of Lannoy. From 1909 until today the castle is owned by the Count of Westerholt and Gysenberg.

The castle is situated on a large ridge with the Prüm stream flowing around it. The horse-shoe shaped keep and the main building, flanked by two defensive towers, date back to the 14th century. The gate building dates back to the 16th century.

Between 1885 and 1896 the castle was restored and the castle walls were again crenelated. In 1945 the German SS set fire to the castle which caused severe damage. The castle was rebuilt in the 1960s and received final restoration in 1998.

At present the castle is inhabited by its owners but also used a location for outdoor activities and the rental of holiday apartments. The castle can be visited. Too bad it was closed when I came by.

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