Doubt whispers through the trees surrounding Alte Burg Alfter. Was it truly a knight’s refuge or just a farmer’s field? The answer lies beneath our feet. Welcome to a journey back to the early Middle Ages.
Alte Burg Alfter, also known as Hangmotte Alfter, was a medieval motte-and-bailey castle. Today, only traces of this early fortification remain. Imagine a wooden tower atop an artificial hill. This was Alte Burg Alfter.
The town of Alfter first appeared in records around 1067. It was then known as Alvetra. Just over a century later, Alfter appears as Halechtre. By the early 17th century, the name had evolved to Alffter.
Historians believe Alte Burg Alfter served as a refuge. It may have protected the knights of Alfter Castle, located less than a kilometer away. In times of war, the local population would seek shelter here. This is based on a well-supported theory.
The Alte Burg Alfter site is located on a hillside. It sits between Görreshof and Buchholzweg streets. This location provided a strategic advantage. The earthwork has an elliptical shape. It stretches about 90 meters. The area covers roughly 600 square meters.
You can still see the remains of the moat and ramparts. The slope has an angle of about 30 degrees. The difference in elevation between the bottom of the moat and the top of the wall is about 5 meters. The south side drops steeply towards Görreshof. This provided natural protection.
Alte Burg Alfter likely originated in the early Middle Ages. It is considered a Motte. Mottes were fortified complexes. They typically featured wood construction. They sat on artificial mounds.
The Alfter knights held the hereditary marshal’s office of Kurköln from 1188. They represented the elector in various offices and ceremonies. An hereditary marshal could participate in royal elections or imperial coronations in place of the elector. This honor was bestowed upon old noble families.
Later, in the 15th century, the estate belonged to the Lords of Wevelinghoven. In 1445, the famous House of Salm-Reifferscheidt-Dyck took over the castle. In 1468, the castle burned down during a conflict with the Archbishop of Cologne. It was eventually destroyed during the Truchsess War.
In 1721, Count Franz Wilhelm von Salm-Reifferscheid built a new baroque palace. This is known as Alfter Castle. Sparse remains of a wall dating back to the 12th century can be found in the cellar of a corner tower.
From 1962 to 1965, the German Armed Forces used Alfter Castle. The Psychological Warfare Training Group was stationed here. Today, the castle is mostly empty.
As you stand here at Alte Burg Alfter, imagine the past. Visualize knights defending their land. Hear the echoes of a bygone era. The whispers of history are all around us.