Schloss Allner, nestled on the southern slope of the Nutscheid Ridge in Hennef, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a captivating destination for history enthusiasts and architecture lovers alike. This fifteenth-century castle, perched on the north bank of the River Sieg and just northeast of the serene Allner See, boasts a rich tapestry of history and architectural splendor that invites visitors to step back in time and explore its storied past.
Originally surrounded by a moat, Schloss Allner is a cross-shaped four-story mansion that stands as a testament to the architectural ingenuity of the mid-17th century. The castle’s facade is adorned with rectangular towers at each front corner, crowned by a central lantern roof. The front entrance, with its 18th-century imperial staircase edged with trachyte balustrades, hints at the grandeur within. Visitors are greeted by the original round-arched doorway, flanked by sandstone escutcheons bearing the Merode family coat of arms, a nod to the castle’s noble lineage.
Inside the great hall, two majestic fireplaces decorated with the Scheiffart family coat of arms add to the castle's regal atmosphere. A stone staircase, with a beautifully carved oak banister, leads to the chapel on the second floor, a serene space that once echoed with the prayers of its inhabitants. The basement area houses a kitchen and a wine cellar, complete with 18th-century wood paneling and wall cabinets, and a low vaulted ceiling that transports visitors to a bygone era.
Beyond the manor’s front doorway lies an arched Baroque portal, bearing the Merkelsbach family coat of arms and brackets for a narrow drawbridge. To the west, two long stone outbuildings with crow-stepped gables, dating back to the 16th century, once served as servants' quarters and stables. A third outbuilding, constructed in the 17th century on the castle's north side, was the residence of the forester.
On the lower grounds near the river, a three-story octagonal tower, built in 1550, stands proudly on the 10-meter-high Ashlar curtain wall. Within the wall, to the north of the tower, is a glass-domed 17th-century garden house, a tranquil retreat amidst the castle’s lush surroundings. The castle's main gate, with its red sandstone archway and lion mask keystone, is adorned with a marriage coat of arms commemorating the union of Bertram Scheiffart von Merode and Lucie von Hatzfeldt in 1643. Another marriage escutcheon on the northwest section of the wall commemorates the wedding of Johann Wallraff Scheiffart von Merode and Maria Anna von Harff in 1668.
The original cruciform structure of Schloss Allner dates back to around 1419 and first appears in historical records in 1421. It was initially in the possession of Arnold von Merkelsbach, a vassal of Stifts Vilich and the bailiff of the Blankenberg Office of the Duchy of Berg. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands numerous times, with each owner leaving their mark on its architecture and history.
In 1557, the castle came into the possession of Wallraff Scheiffart von Merode through marriage. Bertram Scheiffart von Merode expanded the core building in 1643, adding the great hall and the two rear towers. The castle continued to evolve under different owners, including Daniel Salentin Spies von Büllesheim and Franz Ludwig von Hatzfeldt. In the late 19th century, the castle underwent significant renovations under the ownership of Düsseldorf ophthalmologist Albert Mooren and later, industrialist Philipp Heinrich Cockerill.
Schloss Allner played a dramatic role during World War II. On April 7, 1945, the US 97th Infantry Division attempted to cross the Sieg River just south of the castle. Wehrmacht soldiers positioned machine guns in the castle towers and opened fire on the advancing Americans. The ensuing battle left the castle heavily damaged, with the front corner tower on the south side sustaining a direct hit from US artillery.
After the war, the castle found a new purpose as the Cockerill Children's Home, an orphanage run by the Bonn Caritas Association from 1953 to 1973. However, the orphanage was marred by scandal, with reports of overcrowding, poor sanitation, and mistreatment of children leading to its closure. The castle then stood empty for over a decade, suffering from vandalism and looting.
In 1984, Professor Franz Schilke purchased Schloss Allner and undertook extensive renovations to restore its former glory. Today, the castle is a private residential estate, with condominiums built on the sprawling grounds known as The Schlosspark. A bridge constructed in 2010 connects the castle to its well-preserved watermill, adding to the charm of this historic site.
Schloss Allner stands as a testament to the resilience and enduring beauty of historical architecture. Its walls have witnessed centuries of history, from noble families and wartime battles to its transformation into a serene residential estate. Visitors to Hennef can marvel at this architectural gem and imagine the stories that have unfolded within its storied halls.
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