Vlotho Castle (Ruin)

The castle hill has evidence of fortifications already existing about 2,000 years ago and a royal court around 850 AD. Vlotho Castle itself was built around 1250 by Count Heinrich von Oldenburg, brother-in-law of the Count of Tecklenburg, as an administrative seat after the lordship of Vlotho fell to him in 1248. From here, trade on the Weser and surrounding roads was controlled. In 1368, the castle was destroyed by troops from the city of Minden due to a feud with the County of Lippe, but was soon rebuilt as it was indispensable as an administrative center. During the Thirty Years' War and in the subsequent decades, the castle changed hands multiple times, was plundered, and fell into disrepair.