In the 16th century, the Dukes of Brunswick had Paul Francke expand the castle complex into a magnificent four-winged palace complex in the Renaissance style. For a good 100 years until 1659, the palace served as a summer residence for the princes of Wolfenbüttel and as a widow's residence for three duchesses. Duke Julius, who lived at Hessen Castle for several years as crown prince, and his son Heinrich Julius, born here in 1564, ensured that the palace was furnished in a princely, representative manner. Under Duke Heinrich Julius, who was also Bishop of Halberstadt and Rector of the University of Helmstedt, Hessen Castle developed into a cultural center of the region. This duke, who also introduced the Reformation to Halberstadt Cathedral in 1591, was considered the most learned prince of his time. The Renaissance garden, laid out by the botanist and princely gardener Johann Royer from 1607 to 1655 with generous support from the Duchesses Elisabeth and Anna Sophie, became famous. This is how one of the most important pleasure gardens in the Mannerist style was created, the appearance of which is preserved in a copperplate engraving by Merian. Together with the adjacent botanical garden, the plant collection with over 1,700 species and varieties overshadowed even royal gardens such as those in Copenhagen and Oxford.
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