Randau Castle

In 1391, Randau Castle and Estate were acquired by the Alvensleben family from Rogätz as an archiepiscopal fief. When the Rogätz line of the Alvensleben family died out in 1553, the castle fell to Andreas von Alvensleben in the inheritance settlement, who introduced the Reformation in Randau. His great-nephew Kuno von Alvensleben, canon of Magdeburg Cathedral, envoy of the archdiocese, and member of the learned Fruitbearing Society, decided after 1609 to build a new castle, which, along with the house chapel, the Magdeburg Cathedral Canon's Curie, and a valuable library, fell victim to the flames in 1631 during the destruction of the city by Tilly.

It was not until "Minister Alvensleben in London," Johann Friedrich Karl von Alvensleben (1714–1795), that the manor farm was moved further south (to the area of today's Randau Castle), a beautiful new residence was built on a hill facing the Elbe, and it was surrounded – still adhering to the Baroque style – with geometric garden layouts. His successor, Gebhard Johann Achaz von Alvensleben, created the classical central risalit and added the side buildings. The other utility buildings, dairy farm, windmill, colonist houses, factory housing, and the preacher's widow's house, dated back to the Minister. He gave the complex its basic present form. A wide avenue on the central axis was aligned with Magdeburg Cathedral. Interrupted by woodlands, the view swept over the Elbe arms all around. In the next generation, the economy declined: in 1850, Randau was put up for sale, and around 1880, the manor house was demolished. Large parts of the property were sold by two subsequent owners, and large forest stands were cleared.

In 1863, the complex, referred to as a knight's estate, was sold to the Magdeburg entrepreneur and commercial councilor Paul Hennige. Hennige attempted to repurchase the lost property and thus restore the original scope of the operation. In 1885, "Randau Castle" was built on the foundations of the old manor house. The building has a classical form. It features a grand staircase and column-supported round arches. In addition to various farm buildings, a spacious castle park adjoins the castle. The park originally contained typical structures for such park facilities, such as an obelisk, a rotunda, a bridge, an aviary, a greenhouse, an earth grave, and also an observation tower.

Around 1890, further farm buildings were constructed on Schloßstraße, some of which are still preserved today.

From 1968–1984, the castle was used as a primary school, after which it became a "station for young tourists." Partial restorations of the building took place in 1985 and 1992. Initially, the establishment of an educational center was planned. Due to the insolvency of the investor Wyborski, who died suddenly and unexpectedly on April 30, 2001, the project failed. Today, the castle still stands empty.

• Andreas I von Alvensleben (1495-1565) was lord of Calvörde Castle, Eichenbarleben Castle, and Randau Castle; he was a supporter of the Reformation.