Landestrost Castle

The origins of Landestrost Castle date back to 1493, when the castle “castrum Rouenberg” was first mentioned on this site. A fire in 1563 largely destroyed this predecessor castle. Duke Erich II began rebuilding the castle on the old foundations in 1573. The construction work, which lasted until 1584, was intended to demonstrate his power in the northern part of his principality and simultaneously monitor important trade routes and Leine river navigation. During the construction period, the Duke renamed the city Neustadt to Landestrost, a change that was reversed after his death in 1584. The Duke died before the castle was fully completed and left no legitimate heirs. His nephew Duke Julius had the costly work completed unfinished.