The Castle of Wewelsburg

The Castle of Wewelsburg in its current triangular plan was constructed between 1603 and 1609 for the Prince-Bishops of Paderborn.

During WWII, the SS leader, Heinrich Himmler, had grand designs for the dilapidated castle which were, however, never fully realised and on 30 March 1945 Himmler ordered that the castle be destroyed.

When the US Third infantry arrived on 31 March 1945 only the wallS remained and the interior was in ashes.

Today there is a museum at the castle entrance, which has been converted into one of Germany's largest youth hostels. The museum relates the history of the SS and pays tribute to its many victims.