Kristianopel (originally founded as Christianople) was established by the Danish king Christian IV in 1603 as a fortress city and named after his newborn son - Christian, or Kristian, with Danish spelling. The Greek suffix '-opel' was given to give the town a cosmopolitan ring similar to Constantinople. Construction of the town was completed in 1606.
The first church was built in 1600, but burnt down only eleven years later by Swedish army. The current churc was built of stone between 1618-1624. The chandelier dates from the former Avaskär church. Tje pulpit dates from 1621 and altar 1624. There is also a royal chair of Christian IV (1635).
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Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.
The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.