Haldem Castle

The first documented mention of the Haldem estate occurred in 1236 when Bishop Konrad of Minden transferred the tithe to Levern Abbey. In 1264, it was owned by the de Haledum brothers. In 1328, Bishop Ludwig of Minden enfeoffed Knight Gerold von der Horst with the estates of Haldem and Rahden to protect the bishopric's borders. After the extinction of the Knights of Wede in 1400, Dietrich von der Horst inherited further lands and moved from Bersenbrück to Haldem Castle. The castle was completely destroyed during the Thirty Years' War and rebuilt between 1692 and 1703 by Julius August von der Horst. In 1775, further expansion was carried out by Frederick the Great's finance minister, Baron von der Horst. The von der Horst family owned the castle until its sale in 1830, before retreating to Hollwinkel Castle. The new owner was the Prussian General von dem Bussche-Ippenburg. Until 1890, it served as a women's convent.