Royal Hunting Lodge Springe
To the North of "Kleiner Deister" hills the King of Hannover had a castle built in the years 1838-42. It was there the Hanovrian royal family resided during the hunting season. The royal hunting district was the "Saupark", which had to be surrounded by a wall in 1835. After the annexation of Hannover in 1866, the place continued to be a royal hunting lodge for the Kaiser. Today the recently renovated lodge houses an exhibition on hunting and local wildlife.

Open: April to September: 10 am - 5 pm, October to March: 10 am - 4 pm, daily except mondays, in December and january only open on Saturdays and Sundays

Admission: Adults: 3.- DM students, handicapped, pupils: 2.- DM, children ( 4-14 years old ): 1.50 DM, Groups of more than 20 members are reducted in price
Tel=+49 (0)50 41 / 20 22
Openings=10 am - 4 pm, not on monday
Admission=DM 3,-

The Castle of Bückeburg
Here, close to the ancient trading route of the Helweg the Counts of Schaumburg had a castle built in the 14. century. Next to the castle a settlement began to develop which gradually grew to a small town. Little happened before the reign of the most remarkable of the counts of Schaumburg-Lippe, Ernst (1601-22). He made Bückeburg his residence, granted the town the rights of a borough and had a lot of new structures built in the town, new roads, fortifications and buildings. The church with the facade of Early Baroque Style (1612) is unique in Northern Germany. Bückeburg castle had been altered before, but during the reign of Ernst, its appearance changed again and this style has been preserved until today. The castle is still inhabited by the present prince and his family, but some of the palatial rooms as well as the chapel with its remarkable ceiling can be visited.

Admission: Adults: 7.- DM Children 2.50DM Groups with more than 20 members: 5.- DM
Tel=0 57 22/50 39
Openings=daily 9 am - 12 am and 1 pm - 6 pm, october to april 1 pm - 5 pm
Admission=DM 7,-

The Castle of Celle
Overlooking the picturesque old town of Celle lies the prominent castle. Celle became the residence of the Dukes of Braunschweig-Lüneburg in 1378, but of the medieval structures of the castle nothing has survived. Duke Ernst der Bekenner who introduced the Reformation had the castle rebuilt in Renaissance style in 1530. In the 18. century the last duke, Georg Wilhelm, who liked art, gave the castle the appearance that has been preserved until today. The walls were decorated in a Venetian manner, inside palatial rooms and the castle's theatre were built. Today the theatre is a very popular public theatre and the castle and the castle gardens are a well-liked tourist destination.

Ask for guidances on holidays, november to march daily except mondays between 11am-3pm

Admission: Adults: 5.- DM Reduction: 2.50 DM Families: 11.- DM; Groups: Adults: 4.- Reduction 2.- DM, minimum is 50.- DM, in foreign languages 60.- DM =3
Address: Schloßplatz, 29221 Celle
Tel: +49 (0) 51 41 / 1 2373
Openings=April to october daily, each hour between 10am-4pm
Admission=DM 5,-

The Castle Wilhelmstein
Duke Wilhelm of Schaumburg-Lippe (1724-1777) who was a distinctive character in the Age of Enlightenment had this fortress built for the protection of his rather small county. It is situated on an artifical island in the Steinhuder Meer and based on piles of stones, that had to be carried there by the local fishermen in their boats. The fortress originally consisted of 16 islands that were later connected. In the fortress Wilhelm established a millitary college. Only once the Wilhelmstein proved useful when in 1787 it was besieged by the Duke of Hessen-Kassel who planned to annex Schaumburg-Lippe and did not succeed. Wilhelmstein today is a museum and a popular destination for tourists who visit the Steinhuder Meer.
Tel=+49 (0)5033 / 1436
Openings=April to october: daily 9 am - 6 pm
Admission=6.- DM Reduction possible

The Castle Marienburg
This romantic castle is situated on a hill near Nordstemmen on the River Leine. King Georg V. of Hannover has it built between 1857 and 1866 as a present to his queen, Marie. The large four-winged structure was begun by Hannoverian architect Hase, who was relieved by Opler in 1864. The style is Neo-Gothic, mainly in shape, not in structure. It was meant to look like a romantic medieval castle. Today it is a museum with a lot of objects from Hannovrian kings and the Welfen. The Marienburg was never completed. The annexation in 1866 stopped the construction works. The Ex-Queen Marie lived there for short time before she followed her husband into exile. The ducal familiy did not return before 1945.
Address: 30982 Pattensen
Tel: +49 (0)5069 / 407
Openings=Tues-Sun 10.00 - 1, 2.00, 13.00 - 18.00, Sundays/ public holidays from10.00 - 18.00 from 1st of December to 28th of February open only on Sat/Sun

Castle of Landestrost in Neustadt
Near an important ford in the River Leine the dukes of Wölpe had a castle built in medieval times which they inhabited for centuries. Later it was inherited by the Dukes of Calenberg. In 1572 Erich of Calenberg had it rebuilt as a fortress with walls and ramparts and named it Landestrost ( "Trost" means "comfort"). The ordinary people did not appove of it, because Erich was a cruel man and by no means a popular lord. Schloß Landestrost is the only Renaissance castle in Hannover Region. During the Thirty Years War it was besieged twice. Later the walls and ramparts were dismantled and changed into a park. Today Schloß Landestrost is owned by Hannover County Administration. It was redecorated and is now housing the Torfmuseum and the archive of Hannover County. There is room for concerts, festivals and exhibitions.

Call beforehand for guided tours.
Address: Schloßstr. 1, 31535 Neustadt a. Rbge.
Tel: 0 50 32/8 99-1 56 + -1 58
Openings=wed, thu, fri 10 am - 12 am, tue, sat, sun 2 pm - 5 pm.