Germany · 14th century
Berum Castle ranks #6,214 of 9,040 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #550 of the 714 mapped in Germany. Founded 1310, it is older than 60% of the atlas's dated landmarks, one of 758 atlas entries founded in the 14th century. 1 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. See how Germany compares in the castle statistics.
Berum Castle is located in the Berum district the East Frisian town of Hage in Germany. It is one of the most important sites in East Frisian history.
The castle is first mentioned in a document of 1310, as the seat of a member of the Syrtza (or Sytze) family, who was a chieftain of the Norden area. It is not known exactly when the castle was built, or for how long that family had already resided at the location.
In the 15th century, the castle was inherited by the Cirksena family. In 1443, Count Ulrich I of East Frisia expanded the castle to a château, consisting of a main castle with three wings, plus a front castle. On 1 June 1445, he celebrated his marriage to Theda Ukena, the granddaughter of his main rival, Focko Ukena, in Berum Castle. Since then, the castle has played a significant rôle in the history of East Frisia.
Adolph, the son of Count Gerhard VI of Oldenburg, was held captive at Berum Castle from 1465 to 1481 after Oldenburg invaded East Frisia.
In the late 16th century, Count Edzard II extended the castle further as a moated castle in Renaissance style. This extension was completed in 1591 with the construction of a spire. After Edzard's death, his widow, Catherine Vasa of Sweden, a daughter of King Gustav I of Sweden extended the castle further, adding (among other extensions) a chapel. From then on, the castle was used by the Cirksena family as the widow's residence.
On 28 January 1600, the Treaty of Berum was signed at the castle. Under this treaty, East Frisia purchased the Lordships of Esens, Stedesdorf and Wittmund from the County of Rietberg.
On 17 April 1628, Berum Castle was the scene of a tragic accident. The imperial army under general Matthias Gallas had been quartered in the castle. The 26-year-old Count Rudolpf Christian got embroiled in a fight with a lieutenant of the imperial army. He was stung in his left eye and died of his wound.
Under Christine Charlotte, who lived there from 1690 to 1699 as the widow of Prince George Christian, the castle was again renovated, making Berum one of the most magnificent princely palaces in Germany.
After Prussia took over East Frisia in 1744, there was no more use for a widow's residence and the castle fell into disrepair. The main castle was demolished in 1764, with its precious furniture sold off.
Text adapted from “Berum Castle” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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