Gifhorn Castle, Renaissance castle in Gifhorn, Germany
Gifhorn Castle is a fortress with a trapezoidal layout surrounded by a wide moat and fortified towers at each corner. The structures display Weser Renaissance features and house a museum today with exhibits on the town's past.
Duke Francis of Brunswick-Luneburg commissioned this fortress between 1525 and 1581 and shaped it according to Weser Renaissance ideals. The stronghold became a symbol of his political power and strategic position in the region.
The chapel built in 1547 was the first Protestant place of worship in Germany and holds the tombs of Duke Francis and Clara of Lauenburg. The space shows how the ruling family expressed both faith and authority through architecture.
The fortress houses a museum displaying artifacts that document Gifhorn's development through different eras. A visit lets you explore the interior and see preserved rooms and passages throughout the site.
Below the fortress lie underground passages called Wallgänge that connect the corner towers to the main building. One surviving section of these tunnels can be entered by visitors and offers a rare glimpse into medieval fortification techniques.
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