Deichmannsaue Castle

In Bonn-Rüngsdorf, Deichmannsaue Castle now serves as the seat of the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food. Its origins date back to 1662, when it was first mentioned as the "Auerhof." From 1836, it was owned by the Cologne banking family Deichmann. The estate, which then included a villa with a garden and land, underwent structural changes from 1856. The building acquired its current castle-like appearance between 1910 and 1912 under Wilhelm Theodor Deichmann, who had a new building erected on the foundations of the old manor house. In 1941, the castle became the property of the German state. After World War II, it was confiscated by Allied troops and served as the seat of the US High Commission from 1949. To meet space requirements, a large extension was built in 1951. After the end of the occupation status in 1955, the castle became the seat of the United States Embassy and the Federal Ministry of Construction.