Ellerburg Castle

The Ellerburg estate was first documented in 1475, with Hardecke von Münch mentioned as its owner. In 1510, the property was divided between his two sons, leading to the creation of both Ellerburg and the neighboring Benkhausen Castle. In 1633, the castle was the site of a skirmish between imperial and Swedish troops. Following inheritance disputes, Ellerburg passed to the von Ripperda family through female succession, who expanded their presence through strategic marriages. Around 1795, the Prussian officer Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr von Ripperda had the buildings reconstructed. Financial difficulties of the von Ripperda family led to the sale of the estate to Freiherr Karl von der Horst in 1825. His son Adolf von der Horst, district administrator of Lübbecke, largely conducted official business from Ellerburg from 1838 to 1870, although he resided at Hollwinkel Castle from 1840.