Bederkesa Castle

Archaeological findings confirm that wooden structures already existed at this site around 1200. The Knights of Bederkesa are considered its builders. In 1381, the city of Bremen initially acquired half of the lordship, before finally taking possession of the entire castle and its associated lordship in 1421. By 1460, a stone house was erected, forming what is now the castle's south wing. The north wing was added in 1536 and connected to the older part by a central wing in 1579. Copper engravings by architect Wilhelm Dilich from around 1600 depict the castle surrounded by a moat. In 1654, the Swedish general Hans Christoph von Königsmarck took possession of the castle for the Swedish royal house. Just eight years later, in 1662, Queen Hedwig Eleonore pledged the property to her field marshal, who had the fortifications dismantled. Swedish rule ended in 1712 with the Great Northern War, and in 1720, the castle fell to the Electorate of Hanover.