historic structures
Old Town Hall
A
distinctive symbol of communal self-confidence: even today, the gables
of the Old Town Hall continue to dominate Burgsteinfurt's market
square. The Town Hall tower rests upon a so-called 'Kaiserstiel', or
'emperor's trunk'. The hall, which used to be open, was home to the
city guard as well as a prisoner's cell. The Town Hall has been
restored many times, and is now home to the Verkehrsverein Steinfurt.
[further information]
Hohe Schule
The two
towers of the 'Hohe Schule' - Westphalia's first reformed university -
can be seen from afar, and they dominate the historic city centre of
Burgsteinfurt. The two storey building, built of stone rubble, dates
back to the year 1591. With its stone cruciform windows and
three-staged gable, it displays clear Renaissance characteristics.
Following a tumultuous history in terms of usage, it is now home to the
school of music and the college of further education.
Buckshook House
This
weaver's residence dates back to 1657 and is probably the oldest house
in Borghorst. With its mud-and-straw walls, stamped floor and attached
pigpen, it is typical of Westphalian crofters' and peasant houses of
the time.
Huck-Beifang House
From
ancillary premises to library: the house of the count's bailiff,
Eberhard Huck, dates back to 1607. Although for a time it 'only' served
as a coach house, its distinguishing architectural features were
detected and preserved in time. Thus, the richly ornamented bay window
still catches the eye today. Once home to the city library, the house
is today owned by the A. Rolinck private brewery, and is used
especially for contemporary art exhibitions.
Grain Recorder's House
Narrow,
two-story half-timbered house with a pointed gable in the historic city
centre of Burgsteinfurt. The distinctive protruding upper floors
increased the living space and also served to stabilise the structure
as a whole. The small building dates back to the beginning of the 17th
century, and was mainly inhabited by the count's officials.
City Wine House
The former Wine House
(around 1445) on the Burgsteinfurt market square offers a contrast to
the old Town Hall. Built by the Count of Bentheim-Steinfurt, the
two-storey half-timbered structure is testimony to the power of the
city's ruler. The great hall, with a ceiling height of 6 metres, served
representative purposes. In 1990, after extensive conversion and
renovation work, the Wine House became home to the municipal library.