Burg Gosevelde, castle
Burg Gosevelde, also known as Räuberkuhle, is a motte-and-bailey castle near Ratekau on the northeastern edge of Hemmelsdorfer See lake. The earthen mound rises about 10 feet (3 m) from the water and is surrounded by scattered foundation stones and the remains of a defensive ditch.
The fortress was likely built in the 13th century on a hilltop near the lake and first appears in written records in 1255. It served as a defensive outpost and control point for local Holstein knights during medieval conflicts over territorial control and nearby trade routes.
The site carries the folk name Räuberkuhle, which comes from old stories about robbers and adventurers who may have hidden in this area long ago. This name reflects how the place held meaning in local memory, even though today only the earthwork and scattered stones remain as evidence.
The site is freely accessible and costs nothing to visit, with free parking available near Niendorf or Timmendorfer Strand. The entire earthwork can be walked around easily, and the best time to explore is during spring or summer when the paths are dry and the surroundings are green.
The name Gosevelde comes from the nearby Aalbeck stream and shows how the castle was positioned at a strategically valuable location with natural water and forest protection. The folk name Räuberkuhle preserves local legends about robbers, keeping alive stories that may or may not be based on real events.
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