Hengebach Castle

Burg Hengebach (Hengebach Castle) in Heimbach is a reddish-brown stone hilltop castle above the Rur valley in the northern Eifel region of North Rhine-Westphalia. Its keep offers a wide view over the small town of Heimbach and the hills of Eifel National Park, and the courtyards, battlements and keep are described by tourism portals as free to visit year-round. It makes a good short stop on a day trip in the Eifel.

Where it is and how to get there

Heimbach lies in the Düren district in the northern Eifel. Trains of the Rurtalbahn run hourly from Düren to Heimbach, so the castle can be reached by public transport from Düren, which sits on the main rail line between Cologne and Aachen. The station also houses the Nationalpark-Tor visitor point. By car, parking is available directly at the castle, and a small car park lies about 50 meters from the Eifel-Blick viewpoint.

A short history

The first known owner, Godizo von Aspel-Heimbach, is documented before 1011. The von Hengebach family held the castle from the early 12th century until about 1237, followed by the counts and later dukes of Jülich. A fire in 1687 left the complex in ruins, and in 1904 it was abandoned. Rebuilding started after the district of Schleiden bought it in 1935, and the full reconstruction began in 1970. Today the town of Heimbach owns the castle.

What to see

• The keep with its Eifel-Blick viewpoint over Heimbach and the national park.
• The oval ring castle built of rubble stone, with a core from the 12th and 13th centuries.
• The castle at night: it is illuminated after dark.

The International Art Academy Heimbach/Eifel has been based in the castle since August 23, 2009. If you want to eat or stay here, check before your visit whether a restaurant and accommodation are available.

Practical tips

Access to courtyards and the keep is free according to regional tourism portals; there are no staffed visitor hours for the interior. Plan 30 to 60 minutes, or more if you also stroll along the Rur. An elevator from the art academy courtyard gives step-free access up to the castle, according to a local town walk. For current information, contact Rureifel-Tourismus in Heimbach at +49 2446 805790.