Schloss Wolfenbüttel is a castle in Wolfenbüttel, Lower Saxony, Germany. An extensive four-wing complex, it originated as a moated castle (Wasserburg). It is the second-largest surviving schloss in Lower Saxony and served as the main residence of the rulers of the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel from 1432 to 1753. It now houses a gymnasium secondary school, the Federal Academy of Arts Education, and a museum with its historic rooms on display. Its immediate vicinity is home to several historically significant buildings including the Herzog August Bibliothek, the Lessinghaus, the Zeughaus, and the Kleines Schloss. History Middle Ages It was first recorded in 1074 and was built as a fort on the river Oker by Widekind of Wolfenbüttel, recorded between 1089 and 1118. In the Oker marshes there was already a small settlement known as Wulferisbuttle, sited on a trade route between the Rhine and Elbe and the bishoprics of Halberstadt and Hildesheim, used by both merchants and pilgrim monks. In 1191, the castle was destroyed by duke Henry the Lion, the head of the House of Welf and brother-in-law of King Richard Lionheart. It was then rebuilt by the Wolfenbüttel lords. When Gunzelin of Wolfenbüttel refused to swear allegiance to Albert I of Brunswick in 1255, the latter destroyed the fort again, and he also chased Gunzelin's son Burchard of Asseburg from nearby Asseburg Castle, after a siege of three years ending in 1258. Wolfenbüttel Castle was rebuilt by Henry I of Brunswick-Grubenhagen in 1283. The current layout of the castle, its moat, and the lower levels and dungeon of the keep all date from Henry's time. 16th and 17th centuries In 1350 it became the Welfs' residence in Brunswick. It was captured and destroyed in 1542 by the Schmalkaldic League and rebuilding only began in 1553 under Duke Henry the Younger, who created a new residence and converted the old tower into a castle chapel. In 1575 courtyards were added with Italianate arcades. In 1595 the Protestant composer Michael Praetorius became private secretary to Henry Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, living in the castle. As court organist, he is also known to have played the castle organ, completed in 1596. Henry Julius also founded Germany's first indoor permanent theatre in the castle, with an English troupe of actors, making the town the birthplace of German theatre. The castle previously had more towers, some of whose foundations survive. The Hausmannsturm was built