Ahrensburg Castle

Ahrensburg Castle (German: Schloss Ahrensburg) is one of the Renaissance gems of northern Germany. The Ahrensburg village came into the possession of the Cistercian Reinfeld Abbey in 1327. After the dissolution of the monasteries due to the Reformation, the whole area came into the possession of the king of Denmark. He rewarded his general Daniel Rantzau 1567 with lordship over these villages. His brother and heir Peter Rantzau built a Renaissance residence (Ahrensburg Castle) in the form of a water castle, now the symbol of the town, and the castle church around 1595. The new schloss buildings were made with parts of the torn-down mansion, on a rectangular island surrounded by a defensive moat. The following year, the chapel was completed. It was modelled on Schloss Glücksburg, built a few years earlier. Four octagonal towers were added later with copper-covered torn heads and lanterns.

The Rantzaus' estate was heavily indebted by the middle of the 18th century and, in 1759, was acquired by the businessman Heinrich Carl von Schimmelmann. Schimmelmann remodelled the castle and village in the baroque style and the current layout of the town reflects these plans.

Historians in Germany consider the building one of Schleswig-Holstein's best-known Renaissance buildings and attractions

My Dear Great Ones,
A Germany trip is never complete without visiting at least one castle.  Celia, Elsie, Josh and I took a mini trip to Ahrensburg and visited its' quaint, as far as castles go, castle.  

Quaint, but still rather imposing.

The castle is set in a lovely many acre park.

The moat is considered decorative rather than defensive.  With that kind of water its actually offensive.  To the eyes and nose.

Celia, Josh and Elsie.

Once inside one must wear protective slippers and there is an audio guide to bore you with mundane facts and figures about the Castle's history........yawn.

Here you can see Celia listening to the guide.

I believe this ballroom is used at Christmastime for a concert that Uncle Hermann sings in.  Would be delightful.

Lots of nice stately rooms....

Celia fake playing the grand piano.

Elsie, note slippers, studiously learning about the history of Ahrensburg Castle.

If you ever get to Hamburg and are looking for a delightful morning or afternoon activity the Ahrensburg Castle is the place to go to.

Have a great week.  

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk