Haus Groß-Schonebeck, Medieval castle in Nottuln, Germany
Haus Groß-Schonebeck is a castle in Nottuln featuring a rectangular main structure with a stair tower and surrounded by wide moats that once served as defensive barriers. The design reflects the building traditions of Westphalia, a region known for its fortified structures.
The castle was originally built by the von Schönebeck family and sold in 1398 to Bishop Otto von Hoya, who redesigned it as an administrative center for the court district. Under his leadership, it became a significant seat of regional justice.
This castle served for centuries as the administrative heart of the district, shaping how local communities were governed and organized. The buildings still reflect its former role as a center of authority and justice.
The property remains privately owned and can be viewed from the surrounding hiking and cycling paths in the area. Visitors should explore from these public paths rather than entering the private grounds.
A two-story court building from the 16th century stands within the complex, with a courtroom on the upper floor and a prison cell below. These two rooms reveal how justice and punishment were literally stacked in the same structure.
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