Falkenburg

In 1194 or 1195, the Falkenburg near Detmold-Berlebeck was built by Bernhard II zur Lippe and his son Hermann II. The zur Lippe family came from today’s Lippstadt. With the Falkenburg and the old town in Lemgo, the two noble lords founded their first bases northeast of the Teutoburg Forest. They laid the foundation for the rule of this noble family in today’s district of Lippe, which is named after them.

Throughout the Middle Ages, Falkenburg Castle remained a center of Lippe’s sovereignty. It was unsuccessfully besieged in two major feuds of the 15th century, the Everstein Feud (1404-1409) and the Soest Feud (1444-1449). In 1453, however, there was a fire that damaged parts of the complex. Restored, the Falkenburg was inhabited until 1523.

For a long time, it was left to decay and was once used as a quarry for the construction of roads and houses. But since 2004, the still impressive remains of the castle have been uncovered and secured. The ruins now offer a unique impression of a medieval hilltop castle with a ring wall, keep, palace, outer bailey, and kennel