Bederkesa Castle

Description

Bederkesa is a medieval castle built originally in the 12th century. Its original owners, the counts of Bederkesa, lost their fief in 1381. For more than two centuries, the City of Bremen became owner of this castle and its surrounding subjects. As a symbol of sovereignty, they have constructed a Roland statue which is still standing in front of castle. Until 1859, this castle served as administrative centre of its surrounding area. In 1881, it was sold to local investors who converted it into a hotel. This hotel, however, became ramshackle and was deemed to demolition, when the local county administration bought it in 1975, spending much money for reconstruction. Since 1982, the castle serves as museum of local archeology. Remains of prehistoric and medieval houses have been dug from three abandoned villages, Fallward, Feddersen and Flögeln. These Anglo-Saxons moved to England around 450 AD and left their villages uninhabited.