Good Merberich
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Gut Merberich is located near the center of Langerwehe , in the Düren district , Rhineland . The name is probably derived from the name Marbach or Merbach , which flows in the immediate vicinity.
history
Already in Roman times people settled in the area of today's spacious complex. In the 14th century, it was re-established as a knight's seat on the foundations of a Roman villa, the first written mention dates back to 1324. Various owners such as Dietrich Freiherr von Leers (Lord Mayor of Düren and Imperial Notary ) and Baron von Woestenradt are documented as owners .
In 1890 the Merberich estate passed into bourgeois hands. The successful businessman Edwin Hasenclever from Aachen and his wife Irma Hasenclever geb. Prym from Stolberg bought the estate . The complex was redesigned and expanded into a castle-like country residence from 1911 to 1912 by the well-known Munich architect Emanuel von Seidl . Seidl built mostly large complexes for his wealthy customers, but also entire castles . Merberich was built in the style of English country houses and the several hectares of park-like landscaped gardens have typical English features.
During the First World War , Merberich served as a military hospital . Then it developed into a cultural center and attracted many national artists and guests. The building was partially destroyed during the Second World War . The billeting of Allied soldiers also left clear traces. In 1956 the family accepted an offer from Rheinbraun and sold the property. 200 hectares of land were parceled out and partly used to take up a now recultivated spoil dump from the Inden opencast mine .
The war-torn building stood empty for a while and was later used by homeless people as a home for several years .
Then the restoration of the manor began and an artist moved in . Furthermore, a veterinarian founded a country practice there. The estate was thus saved from total ruin. However, the funds for a real renovation of the war-torn complex were missing.
From 2003 to 2018, a complete restoration and refurbishment based on the old model with historically correct materials was carried out under strict monument protection requirements . The park and medieval walls were renovated, all roofs were renewed in the old style, the gazebo and other pavilions were rebuilt, the main house was freed from dry rot, the old room layouts restored, floors refurbished, etc., the surrounding land and the former manor chapel were acquired again.
Today the manor complex is carefully maintained and mainly used for residential purposes, it houses a private riding facility and presents itself together with the outbuildings in their old glory. Gut Merberich is owned by the Dr. Peter Wüllenweber, descendants of the von Leers family mentioned above.
Web links
Coordinates: 50 ° 49 ′ 5.6 " N , 6 ° 20 ′ 36.4" E