Burg Bachem

Burg Bachem is a former moated castle in Bachem, a district of Frechen southwest of Cologne. Wooden piles support the main building and outer bailey, while water surrounds the grounds. You reach the castle island across an old stone bridge with three arches.

The foundations of a residential tower point to the thirteenth century, around 1250. Destruction in 1583 was followed by rebuilding after the Thirty Years’ War. Franz Egon von Fürstenberg-Stammheim acquired the property in 1836 and commissioned further renovations. A major restoration in the 1970s preserved its role as the von Fürstenberg family’s private residence.

A 2018 conversion created furnished apartments while keeping the historic exterior and protected character. Inside, old stone floors, exposed timber framing, a Cologne ceiling and a repurposed fireplace meet custom furniture. Around four hectares of greenery include a private lake, a large garden and space for outdoor relaxation. The stone bridge remains the memorable threshold between Frechen and this water-bound architectural ensemble.