Reinbek Castle

The site's history dates back to 1250, when a Cistercian convent was founded here. After its dissolution during the Reformation in 1528, the grounds were sold to the Danish King Frederick I. During the Count's Feud in 1534, the monastic complex suffered looting and fires by Lübeck troops. In 1544, the area passed to Duke Adolf I of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf through a succession treaty, making Reinbek an exclave of his duchy. Between 1572 and 1576, Duke Adolf I had the current castle built. It served as a secondary residence for travels, a hunting lodge for the parforce hunts in the Sachsenwald, and for accommodating guests. After the Duke's death, it became a widow's residence and later a hunting lodge. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was occupied but escaped destruction. In 1713, the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf lost its possessions in Schleswig, and Reinbek remained in the Holstein part. In 1773, the castle came into Danish possession and continued to serve as an administrative seat. Despite interim demolition plans in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, which were prevented by an expert opinion from Christian Frederik Hansen in 1818, the castle was preserved. After the German-Danish War, Holstein fell to Prussia in 1866. The castle was auctioned off in 1874 and converted into a hotel by the Specht family. After World War I, it served as a convalescent home and from 1939 as the Reich Institute for Forestry. After World War II, which it survived undamaged, it was acquired by the Stormarn district and the city of Reinbek in 1972. Extensive restoration from 1977 to 1987 restored it to its early 17th-century condition and made it accessible to the public.

Reinbek Castle is located in Reinbek in the Stormarn district, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, at an elevation of approximately 17 m above sea level.

Today, Reinbek Castle functions as a vibrant cultural center for the Stormarn district. It is accessible year-round for various events and hosts changing exhibitions. The castle's rooms can also be rented for private events.

• Karolinenhof Manor (manor house), approx. 2.3 km away
• Bergedorf Castle (castle), approx. 3.4 km away
• Glinde Manor (manor house), approx. 4.7 km away
• Friedrichsruh Manor (manor house), approx. 6.1 km away