Schwedesdorf Castle

As early as 1377, the white line of the noble family Münchhausen was enfeoffed by the Counts of Schaumburg with half of the tithe in Schwedesdorf, at the same time as three farms in Apelern. This free castle fief in the outer bailey of Lauenau served, as with other burgmannen at the Amtsschloss, for their sustenance. In 1594, three brothers divided the inheritance: Claus received Apelern and Nienfeld, Otto Lauenau, and Ludolf the inheritance from his mother Heilwig Büschen in Hessisch Oldendorf and Remeringhausen.

Otto von Münchhausen, since 1583 Drost at the Amtsschloss Lauenau, began in 1596 with the construction of his own Schwedesdorf Castle in the immediate vicinity. The builder is considered to be Johann Hundertossen from Hameln, who from 1603 was also to build Bevern Castle for a cousin from the black line, Statius von Münchhausen. In 1600, the building was completed, and since then the inscription "Otto von Munnichhusen, Anno domini 1600" has adorned a coat of arms stone. A few years later, a hexagonal stair tower was built. (In 1892, oriels and gables were adapted and provided with a stone inscription, which can also be found in the Münchhausen family coat of arms: "Mine Borg is God.") However, Otto could not enjoy his new house for long, as he died in 1601 from a duel wound he had sustained at a wedding.

In more recent times, Schwedesdorf Castle served as the retirement home of Annemarie and Adelbert Hubertus von Münchhausen, who moved from their estate Groß Vahlberg near Wolfenbüttel to Lauenau.