Blankenburg Castle

Blankenburg, Germany, Netherlands

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Blankenburg Castle in Blankenburg, Germany, originated around 1123 as a medieval fortress built by Lothair of Süpplingenburg on the Blankenstein hill overlooking the Harz region, later passing to the House of Welf and Counts of Regenstein-Blankenburg.

Transformed into a Renaissance castle by the 16th century and then rebuilt from 1705-1731 by architect Hermann Korb for Duke Louis Rudolf of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel into a grand Baroque residence with four wings around an inner courtyard, reception halls like the Kaisersaal, and an octagonal Hofkirche chapel.

Used post-WWII as a convalescent home and school until 1992, the landmark now undergoes gradual restoration by a preservation society, offering panoramic views though largely closed to the public.