Osnabrück Castle

Construction of the castle began in 1667 under Prince-Bishop Ernst August I of Brunswick-Lüneburg. He needed a residence, as the previous Iburg Castle no longer met his demands, and he also sought to limit the independence of the city of Osnabrück. The four-winged Baroque castle, whose construction was overseen by various architects, was ready for occupancy in 1673. Sophie of the Palatinate, the Prince-Bishop's wife, influenced the design of the castle garden after studying French castle grounds. Their son Ernst August II was born in 1674. After the death of his brother and Ernst August I's assumption of the Principality of Calenberg, the family left Osnabrück and thereafter resided in Hanover. The castle then largely stood empty until Ernst August II moved in as bishop in 1715.