The existence of Bederkesa Castle in Bad Bederkesa in Lower Saxony dates back to the 12th century. At that time there was already a castle complex that was built predominantly out of wood, which archaeological investigations have revealed. The stone complex was only built in the middle of the 15th century. However, only the south wing was built at this time, the north wing was not added until 1536, and the middle wing was not added until 1579. At that time it must have been a moated castle, as moats around the castle can be seen on copper engravings from this period. From 1654 to 1712, the Swedes owned the castle and had the bastions and ramparts demolished. This rule ended as a result of the Great Northern War, and in 1720 Bederkesa Castle came to the Electorate of Hanover. In the decades that followed, the castle was repeatedly remodeled; in 1793, half of the north wing was demolished. The castle was the administrative headquarters of Bederkesa until the office was dissolved in 1859. In 1881 it was finally sold and subsequently used as an inn. Despite this use, little attention was paid to the building structure, which is why it had fallen into serious disrepair by the mid-1970s. The Wesermünde district bought the facility in 1975 and had it restored, and the north wing was also completed again. Today the district museum for natural and cultural history is housed in the castle, as is the archaeological monument preservation department. A restaurant invites you to visit Bederkesa Castle.