BARDOWIEK, village, Prussian province of Hanover, Ger many, 3m. N. of Luneburg on the navigable Ilmenau. Founded (8th century) by Charlemagne as a bishop's see, it was the chief commercial city of North Germany till William the Lion de stroyed it 0189). It derives its name from the Longobardi who came from the district. The Gothic church (c. 1400) includes remnants of a cathedral. The village is now purely agricultural.