Ever wondered what secrets lie hidden within an old moated farm? We are standing before Haus Brock. It is located in the “Bauerschaft Brock” west of Roxel. This place whispers tales of centuries past.
Haus Brock is more than just an old farm. It is a piece of living history. Two buildings here are listed as historic monuments. They date back to the 17th century. Remnants of the moat still exist.
Originally, the farm was a double island complex. The main building and the eastern part had their own moats. These moats are partially filled with water even today. You can still recognize them.
Let’s focus on the old brick building. Notice the sandstone window and door frames. Look closely at the year 1632 etched into the stone. This building served multiple purposes. It was a gatehouse, brewery, and granary all in one. This building is over 20 meters wide.
Now look at the high sandstone building. It has a square layout. The stepped gable faces southeast. This is the remains of the old main house. It dates back to the 17th century. Later, it was converted into a granary. Inside, you can find remnants of its old design. These were created under Johann von Stevening. One notable feature is the fireplace.
Haus Brock belonged to families of Erbmänner for many centuries. The Travelmann family owned it from the 14th century. In 1528, the Steveninck family acquired it. They renovated the complex in the first half of the 17th century. Johann von Stevening’s coat of arms is above the gate. It is also inside the sandstone building. Around 1645, the Buck family inherited the estate. Later, it belonged to the Kerckerinck zu Stapel family. The Droste zu Hülshoff family purchased Haus Brock in 1859.
The Thirty Years’ War heavily damaged the estate. Despite this, Haus Brock played a role in history. In 1661, Prince-Bishop Christoph Bernhard Graf von Galen led the siege of Münster from here.
The gatehouse is a valuable example of Westphalian Renaissance art. Mechthild Mennebröcker from the municipal monument preservation explains this. She says Haus Brock is authentically preserved. It shows the life and work of Erbmänner in the early modern period. There are few other objects like it in Münster and beyond.
The facades reveal many traces of earlier uses. These make history tangible. For example, there’s a construction joint on the moat side next to the gate. The building bends parallel to the moat there. Construction was interrupted. Then, softer brick was used to continue building. There are traces of a bay window on the north gable. You can also find old joint carvings and paint on the walls.
The windows and doors seem irregular at first glance. They are in niches with sandstone frames. These niches sometimes extend to the floor. The different heights result from changes in the ground level. The building’s functions also influenced the heights. This depended on whether it was a kitchen, gatehouse, apartment, or storage area.
Inside, you can discover even more traces. Hearths indicate how each room was used. Beer was brewed in the kitchen. A lockable, bucket-sized recess in the sandstone floor proves this. Each stone in the floor has markings. These markings helped with the complex installation of the floor.
Today, the gatehouse serves as storage space for the farm. It is currently undergoing extensive restoration. Afterwards, the gatehouse will be used as living space. The current owner, Matthias Heitplatz, wants to preserve the many unusual and unique historical traces. He wants to integrate them into the new usage concept. The DSD and the monument preservation program of North Rhine-Westphalia are supporting the restoration.
Haus Brock offers a glimpse into the past. It shows us the lives of those who lived and worked here centuries ago. It is a reminder of the rich history hidden within our region.