Top 5 Castles around Schwarzenbek

The historic garden complex “Juliusburg” is a landscape-defining testimony to the modern era, which is significant in the region's history. In the center of the garden complex is the medieval tower hill castle “Insulbarg”, whose tower hill was the starting point for the garden design and marks the actual archaeological monument. The earth, rampart and moat systems are rich soil archives of high scientific value that are worth preserving and protecting. The topographical location of the tower hill castle in a lowland was chosen based on fortification-favorable aspects. The garden was created in the 17th century by Duke Julius Heinrich of Lauenburg as a pleasure garden, who had a summer residence here. The tower hill castle and the outer bailey were incorporated into the garden. At the beginning of the 18th century the garden was abandoned, so that it can only be recognized by the relief and the ditches running through the area. The castle's good preservation and its integration into the surrounding lowland landscape make it easy to experience the monument. The naming shows that the monument is anchored in local traditions. The protection of the cultural monument of significant local importance is in the public interest because of its special historical, scientific and cultural landscape-defining value. https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/landesregierung/ministerien-behoerden/ALSH/Service/Denkmallisten/Denkmallisten_node.html?lang=de

Nice castle surrounded with farm buildings.

I discovered the place by chance. Since I like castles, I was very satisfied and I took some pictures. Unfortunately, I couldn't spend a lot of time here. But the environment looks very nice.

Kuddewörde, with the old Saxon name Kuthenworden, and Rotenbek were first mentioned in 1230 in the tithe register of the bishop in Ratzeburg. A keep of Duke Eric IV of Saxony-Lauenburg was destroyed in a dispute with the Hanseatic cities of Hamburg and Lübeck in 1420. Duke Johann IV of Saxony-Lauenburg founded a Wilhelmite monastery with a hospital in 1495. The Kuddewörde monastery existed until the Reformation, then until 1698 as a poor house. The buildings were demolished in 1780. The 15th century Kuddewörde Castle was demolished in 1585. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuddew%C3%B6rde

In the Billetal near Kuddewörde there are remains of a medieval castle ruin. Unfortunately, these are behind a paddock and are not accessible. But to imagine that there was medieval life on the small river is exciting.

From here you have a beautiful view across the landscaped park to the rear of Wotersen Manor. The landscaped park is not open to the public, so you have to look over the castle wall to see it. Wotersen Manor was owned for almost three centuries by the noble Bernstorff family, who played a significant role in Hanoverian and Danish politics during the 18th century. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gut_Wotersen

Wotersen Manor or Castle? The terms "manor house" and "castle" differ historically less in their inhabitants than in their function. Etymologically, both "castle" and "palace" are rooted in defense. The term "castle" has taken on a broader meaning since the Renaissance. A manor house, on the other hand, is always the center of an estate, such as a knight's estate or—in Schleswig-Holstein—a noble estate. Both are legal terms, as they historically presuppose a legal status, namely the estate owner's membership in the locally organized knighthood, which was represented in the state parliament. In any case, a manor house was the center of an agricultural operation, an estate, or at least a farm with arable land, or a vineyard, forest estate, or fish farm. You can find more detailed information about the different terms here: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_(Architektur)

A beautiful mansion! But the historical outbuildings are also in good condition! Why it is also called "castle" is a mystery to me, because a sovereign never lived / ruled here!