In general cultural terms the word Renaissance means the "rebirth" of antiquity, but in its narrower, art-historical sense it indicates references to the architecture of classical antiquity and different aspects of its formal language. Besides a rediscovery of architectural features such as columns, pillars and capitals, this style is also associated with an intense preoccupation with nature and the use of harmony and proportion to create beauty. Showpieces of Renaissance architecture combine elements of classical thought with magnificent ornamentation.

Hämelschenburg combines all the attributes of a magnificent castle: an imposing triple-wing construction with moats, a fortified access bridge and two impressive octagonal towers housing the staircases. Its most striking features are the elaborately decorated gabled dormers which are clearly visible from afar. This medieval castle went on to become one of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the region. It was built of Weser sandstone, which was much sought-after at the time. The castle's builders, Jürgen von Klenke and his wife Anna von Holle, lived with their children in the most magnificent section - the three-storey, richly decorated south wing in the Italianate Renaissance style. It was thanks to Anna's bravery that the entire castle was saved from being plundered and destroyed.
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Bückeburg Palace in Lower Saxony is still the ancestral seat of the Princes of Schaumburg-Lippe and one of the gems of the Schaumburger Land region. Although it was first referred to as a castle in records as far back as the 14th century, it was not until the middle of the 16th century that the four-winged Renaissance style palace was built. The palace owes its charming present-day appearance to extensive renovation work carried out over the last centuries. The interior highlight is the lavish palace chapel with its intricate gilded wood carvings. The palace is set in a picturesque park laid out in the style of an English landscape garden.
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This is the only Renaissance palace in the north of Germany. Its lavish stucco work, baroque/neo-classical gatehouse and remodelled parterre with historical engravings reflect its former grandeur.
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Clearly visible from afar, this is the only surviving hilltop castle in Schleswig-Holstein. The triple-wing Renaissance brick construction was built during the Thirty Years' War and now houses an academy.
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