Wissem Castle, formerly also known as the free noble and landed estate "Wiesheim" (also Wiesheim, Wyssem and Weißheim, among others), is a castle in Troisdorf-City. Originally built as a moated castle, the farmstead dates back to the Carolingian period between 500-700 AD. The first written record dates from 1474 and proves that the castle and fortifications were the ancestral seat of the Lords of Troisdorf (Truhtesdorf).
Wissem is an elongated rectangular complex, open on the west side, with only part of its water defences still standing today. Two diagonally corresponding corner towers complete the complex. The manor house was built after 1840 and was renovated and restored in 1954/1955. It is located on the south side of the complex and was built as a two-storey classicist plaster building.
The east side is occupied by the coach house, a long quarry stone wing dating from around 1550. The 18th-century brick wings on the north and west sides, damaged in the war, were replaced by new buildings in 1962; the gabled house-stone portal from 1741 on a newly built gatehouse has been preserved.
The complex is surrounded by the extensive castle park, which leads directly into the Wahn Heath. With the Experience Field of the Senses, the deer park's game enclosures with red deer and some sika deer, and other leisure activities, the castle park is a popular destination for excursions.
From 1945 to 1981, the manor house of Wissem Castle served as the town hall. The internationally renowned picture book museum has been located in the castle manor house since 1982. The Remise is the current seat of the Heinz Müller Foundation (the foundation preserves, promotes and publishes the founder's photographic legacy).
As part of the public funding provided by the "Regionale 2010", the west wing, which served as the former administrative building of the town administration, was converted and extended. In addition to the Tourist Information Office, the Museum of Urban and Industrial History Troisdorf (MUSIT) and the Portal Wahner Heide, this now houses the wedding room of the registry office, the rooms of the creative workshop and the project KennenLernenUmwelt as well as the castle restaurant, so that a cultural centre unique in the region has been created.
Sources: Wikipedia.de & Troisdorf.de
Translation: DeepL.com