Kakesbeck Castle

The name Kakesbeck first appeared in the 10th century in a register of Werden Abbey. A motte-and-bailey castle at this site is documented for the 11th century. The foundation stone for the current complex was laid at the beginning of the 14th century and steadily expanded in the following centuries. In its heyday, the castle covered an area of almost one square kilometer with a core castle and five outer bailey areas secured by moats. Originally owned by the Kakesbeck family, who held it as a fief from Werden Abbey, the castle passed to Knight Bernhard von Droste in 1322. Later, Heidenreich von Oer married into the family, under whom the manor house was redesigned and expanded from 1601. In 1684, the castle passed to the von der Recke family through marriage, before being reacquired by the Droste zu Vischering in 1738. A fire at the beginning of the 19th century destroyed large parts of the manor house's upper floor, which were subsequently rebuilt. The former castle chapel was demolished in 1868.