Beetzendorf Burgruine: A Glimpse into Medieval History

The Beetzendorf Burgruine is a testament to the area's rich history, dating back to around 1140 when the castle was first established in a swampy area. The first documented mention of the castle occurred around 1204, when the von Kröcher family pawned the castle grounds to the von der Schulenburg family. The von der Schulenburg family took permanent ownership in 1343 and used Beetzendorf as their primary family seat for centuries. Over the years, the castle underwent numerous expansions and renovations, including a fortress-like expansion with moats around 1600. However, by the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), the castle had lost its defensive capabilities. Parts of the castle were inhabited by the von der Schulenburg family until 1760. In 1780, large sections of the castle were demolished. Today, visitors can see the remnants of the historic structure, including the northern gate, which Werner von der Schulenburg had reconstructed in the 19th century to prevent its collapse. From 1950 to 1952, an open-air stage was added to the reconstructed gate area and is still in use today. Nearby, the 20-meter-high Bergfried, constructed of red brick, stands as a reminder of the castle's former grandeur. The tower has a base area of 8.5 by 8.5 meters and a high entrance at a height of 4 meters, with a wall thickness of one meter. The basic structures of the baroque garden are still visible.