Bevernsches Castle

The Kleine Schloss (Little Palace) in Wolfenbüttel, also known as Bevern Palace, is a Baroque building located directly next to Wolfenbüttel Palace on the Schlossplatz. The construction of the building dates back to 1643. Over the centuries, it was extended, rebuilt, and reduced in size multiple times. The two-story half-timbered building with a mezzanine that still stands today dates back to 1730 and consists of the original west wing of the Kleine Schloss. It largely acquired its current appearance around 1830.

In the 17th century, the Kleine Schloss primarily served as the residence of the hereditary princes of Braunschweig and Lüneburg. From 1687 to 1712, it housed the Rudolph-Antoniana, the Knight Academy founded by Duke Anton Ulrich for the sons of noble families.

The building received the name Bevern Palace because it served as the residence of Duke Ferdinand Albrecht II of Braunschweig-Bevern from 1723 to 1735. His children, including Elisabeth Christine, the wife of Frederick II of Prussia, grew up there. On June 15, 1733, the post-celebration of the double wedding of Hereditary Prince Karl – later Karl I – with Princess Philippine Charlotte of Prussia and of the then Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia with Princess Elisabeth Christine took place in the Empire-style ballroom of the Kleine Schloss.

After the ducal court moved to Braunschweig, the Kleine Schloss was sold in 1791 to the ducal minister Droste Raeber von Rodenberg. Since then, it has been a private residence.

Around 1830, the Unger family acquired the building and had it completely redesigned. With the exception of a wing built in 1730, all other structures were demolished. The remaining part of the building received a new facade and thus largely its current appearance.

After the banker Gustav Seeliger bought the Kleine Schloss in 1869, he had a palace park laid out in the English landscape style. Even today, a ginkgo and a black walnut tree planted at that time still stand in the rear part of the garden.