Gebhardshagen Castle
Description
Burg Gebhardshagen is a former moated castle in Salzgitter-Gebhardshagen, first recorded in 1186 as “Burg Hagen,” making it one of the oldest water castles in the Brunswick region. Likely built in the 11th century, it was rebuilt after destruction in 1406 and during the Thirty Years’ War. From the 16th century it served as a ducal court and administrative seat. After losing military significance in the mid-17th century, it became an agricultural estate (Domäne) until 1986.
The castle was built at the eastern foot of the Salzgitter ridge on a major trade route. Originally surrounded by moats fed by the Mühlenbach, it once had two towers—the “Grey Tower” and “Red Tower”—now gone. Today, the north wing with gatehouse, barn, and main hall (Palas) survives. Over the centuries, the Palas was converted into a grain store and later fitted with silos.
The name derives from the von Hagen family, its original builders, and the surrounding forest (“Hagen”). In 1372 “Gebhard” was added from a family ancestor’s name.
Ownership passed from the von Hagen family (extinct 1280) to the Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg, with various pledges to noble families. The castle endured sieges in 1406 and the Thirty Years’ War but was always rebuilt.
From 1539, it housed a ducal court, and in 1542 became the center of the Amt Gebhardshagen. The estate prospered agriculturally, reaching 800 acres and 1,100 sheep in the 19th century. It later passed through various owners, including the Reichswerke Hermann Göring during WWII, when POWs worked there. Farming continued after the war until economic changes led to its closure in 1986.