Ilten Castle

In the 14th century, the Lords of Ilten owned 3 knight's seats or free saddle or manor farms in Gestorf. The manor farms were located in the area of the manor garden and were fiefs of Loccum Monastery. The lands were mostly fiefs of the Welf Calenberg dukes. All fiefs could only be inherited by the male line, and daughters were compensated. Due to the branching or expiring lines, the estates in Gestorf were often divided but always came back together. In 1578, all 3 manor farms were merged and have not been divided since. From 1829 onwards, there was always only one heir (the eldest son). In 1881, the manor house, built in 1794, burned down. The castle, which still stands today, was built in 1882 to replace this manor house.

This castle was designed by the architect Hehl from Hanover in Gothic style and built from quarry stone. The manor garden was also transformed into a park, which was also a gain for the residents. The manor garden changed its appearance over time and is certainly no longer as beautiful today as it once was. After the end of World War II, the castle was initially occupied by bomb victims and refugees and became terribly run down. As there was no money for renovation, the Lords of Ilten sold the castle with a 4-acre park area to the Protestant Aid Association as a retirement home in 1954. The new manor house was built in 1954, where the Lords of Ilten, who manage the estate, still live today. In 1997, STEP-Hannover acquired the castle and renovated its interior from the ground up.

It is now used as a therapy center for the reintegration of former alcoholics.