Bodenstein Castle

The origins of Bodenstein Castle date back a long way; it possibly served as a border post between Saxons and Franks and was expanded under Henry I to defend against Hungarian incursions. In the 11th century, it belonged to Otto von Northeim, a relative of the Liudolfingians. Later, a noble family named themselves after the castle, playing a role in the region for a time. In 1275, the lordship passed to the Welfs, who sold it to the Counts of Honstein in 1293. After several changes of ownership, in 1337, several lords acquired the castle, with the Wintzingerode family buying out co-owners by 1448 and remaining sole owners until 1945. During the Peasants' War in 1525, parts of the castle were destroyed and subsequently rebuilt. A conflict over the Reformation led to the castle's capture in 1574 and the execution of the lord, Berthold XI von Wintzingerode.