Winehouse at the market

Former Wine House (around 1445) in the historic city centre of Burgsteinfurt, Markt 19 Two-story half-timbered structure

The so-called Wine House can be viewed as a contrast to the Town Hall, which is located on the other side of the market. The latest research dates the construction of the Wine House to 1445, making it one of Westphalia's oldest secular monuments. It was built by the Count of Bentheim-Steinfurt at a time when the city's self-administration still lay in the future. With this building, the Count documented his standing as the city's ruler. He used it to accommodate guests visiting him in the city.

The half-timbered structure - originally two-storey - with its partial hip roof gable displays a design which, until then, had not been documented in Westphalia. This technique had clearly not yet been fully developed: as early as 1490, steps had to be taken to provide support in the area of the roof truss. The individual areas between the half-timbering were originally filled with brickwork: this too is the oldest known find of its kind in terms of Westphalian half-timbered construction.

With a ceiling height of 6 metres, the great hall occupied the whole ground floor. During the first century after the Wine House was built, the hall was often used for shooting festivals and other celebrations, as well as for public purposes. Wine was also sold here in return for a levy to be paid to the Count: this explains the name given to the building - the Wine House. In 1569 the count sold the house to a relative, who set extensive rebuilding work in train.

In 1638, the Wine House is referred to as being in ruins, and it was only restored in 1648. The restoration mainly consisted of replacing the eaves wall facing Kirchstraße with a stone rubble wall beneath the ground floor beam. The stucco facade which can be seen now was added in 1912; it combines art niveau and Baroque elements. During this period it has been used as a superior burgher's house, a business premises and a rental house.

By 1983 the Wine House had become known as a 'mark of shame' marring the market, and it was transferred into the ownership of the city of Steinfurt. It became a listed building in 1984, and was carefully restored between 1988 and 1990. This historic building is still home to the remnants of a Gothic fireplace. Since May 1990, the Wine House has accommodated the municipal library.