Schloss Hämelschenburg

About the museum

The Rittergut (manorial estate) Hämelschenburg, between Hameln and Bad Pyrmont, has belonged to the von Klencke family since 1437, and they still live there and run it today. After a fire in 1544, the complex in the Emmer valley was rebuilt in a uniform Weser Renaissance style. The moated castle was built between 1588 and 1613 under Jürgen Klencke and his wife Anna von Holle. The necessary money came from mercenary service in the Spanish-Orange wars and in the Huguenot War, as well as from thriving agriculture. Who worked as the master builder remains unknown.

The north wing housed the administration, with a courtroom and a knights' hall; the plain middle wing was used for farm operations, and the magnificent south wing was the family's residence. The layout of the south wing's rooms has been largely preserved, while the interiors of the other two wings were converted into living quarters in the late 19th century. In the Second World War the family took in people who had been bombed out of their homes, as well as refugees.

Visitors can see the historic rooms on the ground floor, furnished with original furniture, paintings, fireplaces and collections of weapons, porcelain and glass. The estate also includes the Church of St Mary, built in 1563, the oldest free-standing Protestant church building in Germany, a Renaissance garden, landscape park and mill, as well as the internationally known Trakehner stud at Langels. The richly furnished church belongs to the parish and is shown by volunteers at weekends during the season. A walk through the garden passes a soap-boiling workshop and a studio in the mill on the way to the water wheel on the Emmer; a craftsman works on the mill island. Agriculture and forestry continue to be run sustainably, and the Emmer's water power generates electricity. The visitor centre with café, beer garden and museum shop is in the former farm buildings.

Highlights

• Main work of the Weser Renaissance, built 1588–1613
• Original furnished rooms with paintings, weapons, porcelain, and glass
• St. Marien Church (1563), the oldest freestanding Protestant church in Germany
• Castle café in the knights' hall, with beer garden
• Park, Renaissance garden, and mill island

Permanent exhibition

• Schloss Hämelschenburg – Weserrenaissance – The historic rooms of the palace are furnished with original furniture, paintings, fireplaces, and collections of weapons, porcelain, and glass; each style period has its own room.

Operated by

Rittergut Hämelschenburg (Familie von Klencke)

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The car park, the castle and the café are easy to reach for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility; the tour is possible except for the basement level. A folding stool for the tour can be borrowed at the information desk. There are disabled parking spaces and an accessible toilet; assistance dogs are allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children's and family tours during the Lower Saxony autumn school holidays (Tuesdays, 10:30; registration requested, recommended from age 5). Flashlight tours in autumn.

Getting there & parking

By bike, a detour of about 4 km from the Weser cycle path; bike racks at the estate courtyard.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Castle café in the knights' hall with café and beer garden, open May 1 to October 31: Tuesday–Friday 12:00–16:30, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays 11:30–17:00. Museum shop in the visitor center, where tickets are also sold.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 180 guests.

The halls can be hired for celebrations with up to 180 guests: the Rittersaal of the castle café for up to 140 people, the Gelber Saal for 30 to 60 people; civil wedding ceremonies are possible in the Charlottensaal of the castle.

Plan your visit