Hardeg Castle

Hardeg Castle is a former castle in the small Lower Saxon town of Hardegsen (Northeim district). It was built in the 12th century and was the former seat of government of the Welf duke.

The first castle complex was inhabited by the noble Lords of Rosdorf until about 1330.

In 1324, the Muthaus (Moshus = Palas) was built by Conrad and Ludwig von Rosdorf, and the complex was further expanded into a large castle. The Muthaus is 35 m high and is said to be the oldest, completely preserved secular building in southern Lower Saxony. With the expansion, the lords apparently overextended themselves financially.

In 1379, Duke Otto of Brunswick-Göttingen (Otto the Wicked) acquired the castle. In 1380, it was the seat of government of the Welf duke after his expulsion from Göttingen; he died here on December 13, 1394. The castle was the dower house of Duchess Margarete.

In 1560, Hardegsen ceased to be a princely residence or dower house. From 1568 to 1823, the former castle was the administrative seat of the Hardegsen district, headed by a Drost or Amtmann.

From 1725 to 1780, major reconstruction work was carried out on the castle complex to convert it into farm buildings for future estate operations. Of the old castle complex, only the Muthaus, the Hagenhaus, and parts of the castle wall remained.

In 1972, the estate was dissolved. The entire castle area was bought by the town of Hardegsen. The town of Hardegsen took over the lease. The rooms of the Muthaus can now not only be visited but also rented for celebrations and events. The rental is handled by the Hardegsen Cultural Initiative. The proceeds finance the preservation of Hardeg Castle. The Knights' Hall is used as a registry office in spring and summer.