The center of the Schlossberg and the landmark of Lauenburg is the mighty defense tower. This was completed after 20 years of construction in 1477 and provided with two meters thick walls, loopholes and powder chambers. From here it was possible to control the city, the Elbe and the surrounding country. After the destruction of the castle in 1656, an upper floor was removed and the tower was around 1725 its present form with the baroque roof rider. Inside, prison cells have been set up on the upper floor and a lapidarium has been placed in the ribbed basement. Ludwig Harms, founder of the Hermannsburg Mission, regularly visited the delinquents in prison cells.
At the tower are located below the eaves two large sandstone medallions of 1474 and 1477. In the panels are minuscule inscriptions with reference to Duke John IV and the ducal coat of arms incorporated.
Opposite the tower is the office building of 1708, today known as the "Castle". The elongated brick building with its hipped roof has been used by the city administration as a service building since the 1920s. The palace complex was inhabited until 1924 by Lieutenant Colonel Georg Brinkmann.
Around the castle there was a "princely garden" designed by Duke Francis II in the style of Roman terraced gardens, which however, after the destruction caused by the warfare of 1656, became wild. Today you can still find the remains of a now restored grotto and a winding path that runs through the previous fortifications. From the view terrace called "Askanierblick" below the office building, the view over the Elbe extends far into Lower Saxony.
Source:
Wikipedia