Bunkenburg

Bunkenburg was a castle built during the 13th and 14th centuries in the shape of a circular fort located on the banks of the Aller opposite Ahlden in north Germany.

The name of the castle is probably derived from the material, bog iron, used for its construction and known in common parlance as Bunke.

The castle lay on the northern river bank of the Aller on a flat elevation by an important medieval crossing.

From the plan it appears not to have been a typical lowland castle, but more like the residence of a number of burgmannen with several manorial seats within the ramparts.

In 1700, long after the demise of Bunkenburg, a brewery was built on the southern section of the rampart by the prince's household.

During the 14th century it apparently lost its significance and the Burgmannen moved to Rethem castle, where their family names are to be found again in the records.