Manor Pohl cup

The origins of the Pohl manor, which lies to the east of Bechen and was conceived as a moated castle, are shrouded in mystery. Duchies and counties mostly emerged in the 10th/11th century. The castles and residences were intended to preserve the status of property and represent power. Count Adolf I von Berg (1093-1152) is considered the founder of the Duchy of Berg. The dynasty of Berg resided in Berghe Castle in the Dhünntal valley near Altenberg, later in Burg Castle on the Wupper.

Over the centuries, the land became more and more developed, noble estates and manors were established along trade routes, some of which were fiefdoms that were subject to taxation by the sovereign. As a reward for loyal service, deserving knights were often granted land by the authorities, on which estates were then built, as in our case "Zo dem Poyle" (Pohl). In all cases, however, "wagon and harness services" had to be provided. This is also the case here. The historic trade route - Cologne / Wipperfürth / Soest / Leipzig and beyond - leads over ridges wherever possible, as the already impassable terrain was less wet and swampy there. Sometimes, however, the route through valleys could not be avoided. The Lords of Pohl often had to fortify the trade route that ran above their estate with stones and wood, as well as keep a hollow path in the nearby woods in a passable condition.

When originally settled, Pohl was a wetland drained by several fish ponds. The manor was first mentioned in 1433 and had been owned by the Herwegh family since around 1500. They owned the Pohl estate and the Herweg farm near Bensberg. The "Herwegh zum Herwegh" and "Herwegh zum Pohl" families were created through the later division of the estates between the sons.

The founder of the Pohl line was Bertram von Herwegh zum Pohl. He is married to Maria von Luckerloe and bears three red hearts in a golden field as his coat of arms. His son Christian married Anna von Overheiden zu Hohkeppel und Kurtenbach around 1550. The Overheiden coat of arms is a silver shield with a row of four red balls running from top left to bottom right and a row of three red balls below. The couple's residence was the Pohl house, which was decorated with a weathervane containing both coats of arms as an alliance coat of arms. This flag, forged around 1550, was found at Haus Pohl around 1950 and has since been lost. (picture 1)

The listed half-timbered Bergisch house with a crippled hipped roof formed the center of the stately farmstead with around 40 hectares of land. The farmstead, which was once a moated castle, was at times surrounded by 4 fish ponds. The largest pond, located approx. 150 meters above the farmstead and fed by the source of the Dürschbach stream, still exists today. The 3 ponds below the house were also fed by the Pohler Bach stream (which has its source in Heiderjansfeld) and 2 smaller rivulets coming from unnamed streams. Today, these ponds have been leveled.

Now divided by the old Bechen - Biesfeld connecting road, the "Pohler Kouernmüll", a watermill with an overshot mill wheel, is located on the opposite side of the farm. This flour mill was operated with water from the fish ponds via the mill pond, parts of which still exist today. The mill ceased operation in 1927, the adjoining bakery was closed shortly before the Second World War, the mill wheel was preserved until around 1940. (picture 2)

Pohl today:

The farm, which has evolved over the centuries from the former moated castle, has now been owned by the Fahlenbock family for many generations and is one of the few remaining farms in Bechen. The farmer runs his dairy farm on many estates in the surrounding area, whose associated farms have had to be abandoned over the last 30 years. However, the air is getting thinner and thinner here too: neighing bureaucrats, all kinds of statistical verification requirements, fertilizer and manure regulations, and stricter measures for soil hygiene, animal welfare and species-appropriate stables, investments in digital technology and much more. As the latest investment in 2021, the Fire Protection Ordinance is forcing the construction of a fire extinguishing pond (in front of the farm entrance), although there would be more than enough water from the nearby fish pond, which cannot be used for ecological reasons.

After Mr. Förster had given up the mill and bakery, he only ran his small farm to keep his family of 11 "afloat". (picture 3)

The Pohl mill changed hands several times over the years. The half-timbered building of the original mill was saved from decay in the 1970s through various construction measures. Today, the mill and the adjoining former farm building are inhabited by the Ossenbach and Pütz families, who have lovingly renovated and restored both the building and the entire complex. The only reminders of the historic watermill are the intake pond and the corresponding upper ditch.