Bredenbeck Castle

The Lords of Knigge became owners of Bredenbeck Castle in 1338, which they expanded into the strongly fortified moated castle of Bredenbeck. In 1370, it was pledged by Duke Magnus II to the Prince-Bishopric of Hildesheim. In 1550, the castle burned down and was rebuilt even more defensively. Adolph Freiherr Knigge was born at the castle in 1752. A memorial plaque at the base of the staircase of the manor house commemorates this famous Enlightenment writer, who is buried in Bremen Cathedral. The manor, which still exists today, was established on the former castle grounds in 1825.

The Barons Knigge began mining in the Deister in 1804, which led to a strong upswing in the town. In addition, there was a private brewery on the Knigge estate and a lime kiln. In 1905, Bredenbeck had a considerable 1626 inhabitants for that time. However, numerous jobs were lost due to the closure of the Herta mine in 1910 and the lime works in 1928. The private cemetery of the baronial house of Knigge is still located today between Bredenbeck and Steinkrug. Today, the Knigge property, the Frhr. Knigge'sche Miteigentümerschaft, is primarily known for agriculture and forestry.