Burg Poppenburg, Medieval castle in Nordstemmen, Germany.
Burg Poppenburg is a medieval castle rising from a hillside above the Leine River, enclosed by stone walls, towers, and several connected buildings. The complex centers on a courtyard surrounded by various structures that reflect how a fortified residence was organized.
The site was founded in 1049 when Emperor Henry III granted the royal estate Bobbenburg to Bishop Azelin of Hildesheim, establishing a stronghold for regional control. This grant made the location a tool of episcopal power across the surrounding lands.
The castle chapel of St. Joseph served as the parish church for surrounding villages until a new one was built in Nordstemmen in 1971. This sacred space shaped daily life on the estate and shows how the site held religious importance for the wider region.
The castle grounds are accessible with parking near the main entrance for visitors arriving by car. Guided tours through the medieval structures and fortifications are available and provide a good overview of the entire site.
The castle sat along the ancient Hellweg trade route and thus controlled key river crossings and the passage toward Hildesheim. This strategic position made it a central point for commerce and regional safety across generations.
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