Burg Niederzier

Burg Niederzier is a water castle in the village of Niederzier, part of Düren district in North Rhine-Westphalia. The site first appears in records in the 13th century, when members of a local ministerial family are mentioned, including Heinrich von Zier in 1226 and Cologne canon Conrad von Cirne in 1269. The castle passed through several noble hands in the 16th century, notably the Hochsteden family after Arnold von Hochsteden bought it in 1526. The von Hochstedens owned the castle until 1848, when the last countess died without an heir. The buildings have been rebuilt and altered many times. French troops burned the castle in 1674, and the main house was rebuilt in 1698 while the outer ward was reconstructed in 1765. Heavy fighting on the Rur front destroyed the castle again in February 1945, but it was restored after the war. Today the community council occupies the enlarged castle. Visitors see parts of the outer ward that date from different centuries. The south and east wings are simple brick structures from the 18th century, used for farm and storage work, while the oldest remains lie in the west wing. The gateway arch is more ornate, topped by a pediment bearing the coat of arms of Ferdinand von Hochsteden and his wife Isabella von Bourscheidt, dated 1765. The whole complex is protected as a historic monument and forms the centre of village life.