Destedt Castle

The year of origin of the moated castle (often called "Estate") is unknown. In the 12th century, it already belonged to the Counts of Wernigerode. Since 1356 or 1388, it has been owned by the von Veltheim family. In 1430 and 1432, it was captured, destroyed, and set on fire after demolition by the Brunswickers. According to Merian, it is said to have lain in ruins for many centuries. About two and a half decades after the turmoil of the Thirty Years' War, the then owner, Joachim Ludolf von Veltheim, began a new construction of the upper castle. This resulted in the current Baroque castle building in 1693. Johann Balthasar Lauterbach, the Brunswick state architect, probably played a significant role in its design.

Colossal pilasters structure the concise, almost austere form of the building standing on a high substructure. A gently curved staircase overcomes the difference from the courtyard to the ground floor and has had a counterpart on the park side since 1875. Georg Philipp von Veltheim, Brunswick Legation Councillor, Chamber Junker, and from 1740 Master of the Hunt, probably laid the foundation for the park's creation in 1750 by acquiring the rectory through land exchange. Between 1750 and 1770, the first trees were planted. Even today, the complex has some special features, including the predominantly American trees, which General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel, Baron zu Eisenbach, is said to have sent over from America. In 1953, the estate park was placed under landscape protection and has since been accessible to the public.