Wendhausen Castle, Renaissance château in Lehre, Germany
Wendhausen Castle is a Renaissance structure set on an elongated moated property with multiple surrounding buildings. The main house, cavalier building, barn, gatehouse, and stables occupy the eastern section of the grounds.
The current structure was built in 1688 by Chancellor Philipp Ludwig Probst, using the foundations of a 14th-century building that once belonged to the Duke of Braunschweig. This construction atop older foundations shows how the site maintained importance across different eras.
The Vieweg family, prominent publishers from Braunschweig, brought their art collection here after acquiring the castle in 1873. The rooms still reflect how this private collection shaped the interior, showing how wealthy families of that era decorated their homes with artworks.
After a comprehensive restoration in the late 1990s, the southern wing is open to visitors and features a private gallery space. It is best to check beforehand about visiting arrangements, as the property remains in private use.
A previous owner, Konrad Detlev von Dehn, designed the grounds with gardens inspired by Versailles, complete with gondola rides for visitors. This romantic addition to the Renaissance structure no longer exists but reflects the creative ambitions of past owners.
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