# Vlattenhaus

- **Country:** Belgium
- **Coordinates:** 50.693061, 6.080778
- **Location Text:** Eynatten, Raeren

The Vlattenhaus is a historic castle-like structure situated in Eynatten, within the Belgian municipality of Raeren. Located on Hauseter Straße merely 200 meters from Amstenrath Castle, this three-story building rests on a square, walled island measuring 30 by 30 meters. Originally constructed in the second half of the 14th century by Peter of Eynatten, likely on the site of an earlier feudal farm, the architecture features quarry stone walls with remnants of round towers at its four corners. The surrounding forecourt includes farm buildings made of similar stone, one of which bears wall anchors dated to 1781, reflecting the estate's long-standing agricultural roots.

Throughout its history, the property has undergone significant transformations and ownership changes. After the original male lineage ended in 1434, the house eventually fell into disrepair before being granted to the Jesuits in 1728, who demolished the main structure to build a smaller residence and converted the moats into fishponds. Following the dissolution of the order in 1773, it passed to private owners until World War I, after which it served as barracks and a factory. The building suffered severe damage during combat between American and German forces in September 1944, leaving it in ruins for decades until the Franssen van Cortenbach family acquired the site in the 1960s.

In the late 1990s, the Vlattenhaus was extensively restored and modernized, transitioning from a war-damaged ruin into a functional housing complex. This conversion breathed new life into the historic site, preserving its architectural heritage while adapting it for contemporary residential use. Today, the Vlattenhaus stands as a testament to the region's turbulent past, having survived familial extinctions, religious administration, wartime destruction, and eventual revitalization. Its proximity to Amstenrath Castle and its distinct island layout continue to make it a notable landmark in the German-speaking community of Belgium.

![Photo of Vlattenhaus](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Valttenhaus_v2.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlattenhaus (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)