Rammelburg Castle

Rammelburg Castle is located in the wooded surroundings of the Lower Harz and was built around 1190 by the Counts of Arnstein. The first documented mention as "castrum Rammeneborch" dates back to 1259. In 1296, the owners of the castle were the Counts of Falkenstein, in 1334 the Counts of Reinstein, and in 1387 or 1400 the Counts of Mansfeld. In the 16th century, the residential wing was built in the west wing. In 1554, the castle was besieged by Duke Heinrich of Braunschweig. After this, ownership changed in 1637 to the Lords of Stammer and in 1720 to Karl August Freiherr von Friesen. In 1894, the core castle partially burned down. In 1905, ownership changed to the von Heimburg family, who rebuilt the castle in Neo-Gothic style. From 1937 to 1940, the castle was owned by the Princes of Thurn und Taxis. In 1945, the owners were dispossessed and expelled by the communists. During the GDR era, the castle served as an orphanage and rehabilitation clinic until the 1990s. Since 1995, the imposing building has stood empty.