Hotel-Restaurant Deutschherrenhof

The extensive possessions of the Teutonic Order in Rachtig and Zeltingen go back to a donation from Count Heinrich von Sayn, whose widow Mechthild left numerous estates and vineyards to the Order in 1247. A farm belonging to the Teutonic Knights is first documented in 1254. After several acquisitions, the Teutonic Order was the most powerful landowner in the area in the 15th century. The farm in its present basic form was probably established as early as the 14th century. It was administered by a courtier and also served as a regional administrative and trading centre. The two-storey, four-winged quarry stone building forms a stately complex that is considered one of the best examples of late Gothic secular buildings in the Moselle valley. In 1737, it was rebuilt and remodelled in Baroque style. At the same time, a north and east wing were added. Like the south wing, the west wing on the Moselle side largely dates back to the 14th century. The windows of the south wing are crowned by late Gothic cloverleaf arches. Between the west and south wings, a six-sided, three-storey tower has been erected facing the Moselle. Next to it is a round-arched passageway to the inner courtyard. The east wing used to have an 18th century gabled portal on the courtyard side. The north wing, which was originally a barn extension, was destroyed in 1945. In the course of secularisation, the Deutschherrenhof was declared national property by the French and auctioned off in 1809. It was probably at this time that the coat of arms above the archway from 1737 was removed. This was followed by many changes of ownership. At times, the estate was divided between four owners. In 1957, the south wing was acquired by Peter Schmitz, who carried out the first renovations in 1965. The farm has been used as a hotel and wine house since 1981.