Habichtswald Castle

The history of the lands of Habichtswald Hunting Lodge dates back to the 16th century. As early as around 1590, Count Arnolde von Bentheim-Tecklenburg drew up plans to erect a stately residence in the forests of the Tecklenburger Land. However, these plans were not implemented until 1641. The year of construction is clearly engraved on the open fireplace of the main house.

Two generations after the construction of the hunting lodge, the manor house, along with all buildings erected up to that point, fell to the House of Hohenzollern. Habichtswald thus became a Prussian domain. In the 18th century, this domain was divided into several estates, each individually auctioned off to later hereditary tenants. However, during the "French period" from 1806 to 1813, they had to cede their income to the then Duke of Padua. On March 15, 1825, all buildings of the Habichtswald estate, including the forestry and hunting rights, were finally sold to the mayor of Lotte, Friedrich Wilhelm Rehforst.

Today, Habichtswald Hunting Lodge is still preserved in its original form with all its buildings. The showpiece of the estate, however, is located in the historic garden. There stands a lime tree whose roots are almost as old as the castle itself.