Bruche Castle

From the Meyerhof zu Broke, this now magnificent ancestral seat of the noble family von Broke was established in 1350 near Eicken, east of Melle. However, the last male descendant of this family sold the estate in 1442 to the Drost and Council of the Lippe noble lords Johann von Möllenbeck. But over time, the owners changed repeatedly in a colorful succession. They were mostly relatives or those who married into the family, or their descendants. The following overview aims to clarify this frequent

change of prominent owners:

• Johann von Kerssenbrock (1461),
• Drosten von Oer (1510),
• Field Marshal Abraham von Arnim zu Boitzenburg (1685),
• Friedrich von Hammerstein-Gesmold
• Chamberlain of Prince-Bishop Ernst August II (1726),
• Drost Albrecht Ludwig von dem Bussche zu Ippenburg (1752),
• Hereditary Marshal Georg Werner Freiherr von Münster zu Landegge (1792),
• Prussian War and Domain Councillor Franz von Redecker (1795),
• Royal Hanoverian Government Councillor Conrad Ferdinand Friedrich von Pestel (1805)
• District Administrator of the Melle district, Ludwig von Bar (1922).

Bruche possessed the right to attend the Landtag (state parliament) for centuries and had a multitude of special rights. Except for serious crimes, all offenses could be punished here.

The old Bruche Castle was demolished in 1618. Today, only the shortened keep remains, which now forms the corner tower of the western fore-building. A Renaissance fireplace is also preserved inside. The current manor house was built between 1733 and 1736 by Friedrich von Hammerstein. A slightly projecting central risalit protrudes from the facade, continuing upwards as a gable. On the garden side, the central risalit projects a full three meters, thus creating enough space for a larger hall. Both the manor house and the outer bailey are still surrounded by a common moat today.

The current owner is Dr. Ludwig von Bar.