Wewelsburg Castle belongs to objects that are interesting not only as castles, but because of their secrets and legends.
Wewelsburg Castle ©Yuriy Buriak
The castle was built in 1603-1609 by local prince-bishop Dietrich von Fürstenberg. In 1815, the north tower was burned down by the lightning and until the 20th century nothing significant happened in the castle. In 1933, it was visited by Heinrich Himmler, future Minister of Internal Affairs of Germany. He liked what he saw and decided to organize a school for training SS here.
Wewelsburg Castle ©Yuriy Buriak
Future SS officers were taught quite an interesting set of lessons, such as mythology, archeology, spirituality, history, eugenics, and arts. In addition, all important ceremonies such as weddings took place in the castle. You can see photos of these events in the museum.
Wewelsburg Castle ©Yuriy Buriak
Wewelsburg Castle ©Yuriy Buriak
Courtyard of the castle ©Yuriy Buriak
The castle was not in very good condition at the time. Judging by photos from the museum archives, the north tower was never rebuilt after the fire in 1815. Using the labor of prisoners of a small local concentration camp, SS began to rebuild the castle. But after the defeat in the war, it had been blown up, though later it was restored and the first museum was opened in 1950.
Now 2 museums are located inside: the Museum of Local History and Ideology and Terror of SS, which was opened in 2010. Entrance to the second one is free. The Museum of Local History is located on all floors of the castle, so you should visit it at least to see the castle interiors.
In one of the castle towers ©Yuriy Buriak
Old furniture ©Yuriy Buriak
??? ©Yuriy Buriak
North tower was burned down in 1815 because of the lightning. ©Yuriy Buriak
Schalom??? ©Yuriy Buriak
Here witches were tortured, the balcony on the right was used by the judge. ©Yuriy Buriak
Museum of Local History ©Yuriy Buriak
But the main interest is the second museum, entrance to which is located in another building. However, you'll visit the 2 most interesting and famous rooms of the castle: Obergruppenführer Hall and the Crypt. They are located one above another in the north tower, and the Crypt has incredible acoustics. The upper hall is completely symmetrical. Between 12 columns in the center is a twelve-spoke sun wheel - swastika "black sun", the purpose of which is unknown. It is believed that this is "occult" symbol, but for what purpose it was used?
Crypt ©Yuriy Buriak
Obergruppenfuehrer Hall ©Yuriy Buriak
Despite the many legends, it's still unknown for certain what was the purpose of the halls. In the late 90s posthumous memoirs of head of political intelligence security service Walter Schellenberg appeared, in which he describes the Wewelsburg Castle as a place where SS developed the religious part of their ideology. Something like the center of the future world, as Himmler called this place (Mittelpunkt der Welt). But it's only the beginning, the scientists discovered links between the castle and such mythical artifacts as Grail (cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper) and the Spear of Destiny (the peak that was plunged in the crucified Christ). By the way, look closely at the plans of the huge castle extension - on the right you can see the tip of the spear, and castle is located on its edge.
Plans to build a huge citadel around the castle ©Yuriy Buriak
Or view from the top. The castle itself also looks like a spear. There are unconfirmed beliefs that Hitler was trying to receive the magical power of this ancient weapon.
All these fascinating legends are being explored both by amateurs and real scientists. Try to visit the Wewelsburg castle, maybe you will find another solution?
Wewelsburg Castle ©Yuriy Buriak
Wewelsburg Castle ©Yuriy Buriak
Wewelsburg Castle ©Yuriy Buriak
Wine was stored in the walls of one of the towers. ©Yuriy Buriak
The museum has a large number of original SS letters. ©Yuriy Buriak
Are you a true Aryan? ©Yuriy Buriak
Wewelsburg Castle ©Yuriy Buriak
Who else but Russian tourist can ruin the historic monument in such a way? ©Yuriy Buriak
Former prisoners, who visited the castle in the 2000s. ©Yuriy Buriak
Camp prisoners camps made glue here. ©Yuriy Buriak
One of the former prisoners brought a tube of glue and now it's an exhibit. ©Yuriy Buriak
Beautiful scenery on the fields near the castle ©Yuriy Buriak
Getting there: By train to Paderborn Hbf, then by bus #460 (the stop is to the left of the train station exit) to the castle, stop "Wewelsburg Schule/Kreismuseum, Büren".
