#Fortification

Haus Empel falls into ruin

If you just walk up this little road, you will see the ruins of castle Empel. It dates from the beginning of the 13th century. In the course of the years it often changed hands.

Around the liberation, the Germans choose to block the way of the allies from the castle into the direction of Bocholt. The result is that  this valuable building falls into ruins in just a few months‘ time. Rebuilding it was not feasible financially for a long time. When Peter Landers bought it privately in 2000, rebuilding the castle started.

More about the role of castles during the war

In the middle ages most castles were primarily built for defensive purposes. Unexpectedly they get this role back during World War 2: as an observation tower, as a shelter for troops and officers, as a storage room for guns and ammunition. Thus they are becoming attractive targets for bombing. Castles are also destroyed deliberately to prevent them from being used by the enemy. Almost 44% of the total damage to castles and country estates was caused in the final year of the war. The months long stalemate at the front had a devastating effect on castles in the east of the Netherlands.

Burgweg 6, Rees
See the website

Photos