Moated castle from 1271 in the Münsterland, with a museum on castle and noble history, a knights' hall, and the portal to the Münsterland castle and fortress region.
October 18, 2026 – February 7, 2027
Autumn and winter exhibition of contemporary art at the castle, with a focus on photography in the theme year ‘Fotografie und Wahrheit’. Established and emerging positions, and two galleries taking part for the first time; the works are for sale.
March 22, 2026 – November 1, 2026
Photo exhibition by Gisela Schäper from Drensteinfurt with still lifes of hidden places. Original prints in the main building, large reproductions at various locations in the castle.
Burg Vischering is considered the ideal example of a Münsterland moated castle. The round main castle lies in the middle of a pond in the Stever lowlands north of Lüdinghausen. It is first documented in 1271, when the Bishop of Münster entrusted it to the knight Albert von Wulfheim to have a stronghold against the rival Brothers of Lüdinghausen. The name Vischering only came into use in the 14th century.
From 1519 to 1622 the fortress was converted into a residential palace, with a new gatehouse, taller residential wings, a staircase tower, and the projecting "Auslucht" that extends into the pond. A major fire in 1521 added to the need for renewal. As the main seat of the Droste zu Vischering family, the castle was never remodeled in the Baroque style. In World War II, bombs caused severe damage in 1944.
In 1972 the Münsterlandmuseum opened in the castle, and it was expanded in 1984. After a thorough restoration of the complex and a new exhibition, the museum reopened in 2018 as part of the Regionale project "WasserBurgenWelt" (Water Castles World). Since then, Vischering has also served as a portal to the castles and palaces of the Münsterland region.
| Adults | €7.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Students (except "Studium im Alter"), trainees, participants in voluntary service, holders of the NRW Ehrenamtskarte, people with a degree of disability (GdB) of 50% or higher |
| Children & teens | €3.50free up to age 5 · Rate for children from 6 years and young people up to 18 years (combined ticket); the price list starts at age 6. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5companion free · From a degree of disability of 50%; where necessary, a companion is admitted free upon proof. |
| Students & apprentices | €5Students (except "Studium im Alter"), trainees and participants in voluntary service |
| Groups (20+ people) | €6 per personGroups of 20 or more people €6 (outer castle only €2.50); school groups €2.50 (outer castle only €1). |
| Families | €13Family ticket I: 1 adult and at least 2 children €13. Family ticket II: 2 adults and at least 2 children €20. |
| Outer castle only (adults) | €3.50Reduced €2; children from 6 years and young people €1.50. |
| Family ticket II (2 adults, at least 2 children) | €20 |
| Kultur Kreis Coesfeld annual pass | €30Free admission for one year to Burg Vischering and Kolvenburg Billerbeck. |
| Kultur Kreis Coesfeld family annual pass | €40 |
Prices apply to the combined ticket for the main and outer castle. Recipients of certain social benefits enter free; holders of the GEO-Card are admitted free when accompanied by a paying person, and the artCard and ADAC card entitle to a reduction.
The castle, event hall and museum shop are certified as accessible by "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All). A level path leads to the outer castle. Wheelchair users receive a special ticket with which the swing door on the bridge opens automatically. An elevator serves all floors, and electric ramps overcome most of the intermediate steps. Rollators or wheelchairs can be borrowed for a deposit; hearing amplifiers for guided tours are available at the ticket desk; guided tours for blind and visually impaired visitors are available on request; the event hall has an induction loop.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €13 · Family ticket I: 1 adult and at least 2 children €13. Family ticket II: 2 adults and at least 2 children €20. |
Hands-on participation and trying things out are the focus; the basement of the museum has play areas for children. The program includes the annual knights' camp, magic galas, children's theater, workshops, and programs for school classes and kindergartens. Preschool children can join the tour "Huberta das kleine Burggespenst".
Abzweig Vischering
Bus stop "Abzweig Vischering" (SchnellBus S90 Münster – Senden – Lüdinghausen). Lüdinghausen main station is about 2.3 km away.
Free parking
Large free car park directly near the castle.
Navigation address: Berenbrock 1, 59348 Lüdinghausen. Bike racks and e-bike charging stations opposite the gatehouse; the castle lies on the 100-Schlösser-Route (southern route) and the Steverland Route.
Get directionsCafé Reitstall (privately run) in the outer castle serves light meals, drinks, coffee and cake during museum opening hours. Museum shop in the gatehouse. Free Wi-Fi on the castle grounds.
Up to 199 guests.
Available for hire: the event hall (240 m², up to 199 people, stage with Steinway grand piano, technical equipment and induction loop) and two meeting rooms (Heidenreich and Jaspara, about 32 m² each, up to 20 people).
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
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| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Castle tours for groups last 60 or 90 minutes (including the outer grounds and chapel) and cost €50 or €75 per group, plus admission. Foreign-language tours in English, French, Russian and Dutch are possible. There are also theatrical tours with steward Wernekinck and botanist Franziskus, as well as the children's tour "Huberta das kleine Burggespenst" (Huberta the Little Castle Ghost). Booking at 02591 79900. Dogs (except guide dogs) are not allowed in the exhibition rooms. |
