Broich Castle
Four years of archaeological work aged the grand masonry by several centuries.
Broich Castle - already well-known - became the oldest remaining Carolingian castle complex north of the Alps. From 1965 to 1969 careful excavations uncovered evidence of the existence of further fortifications below the medieval edifice (first mentioned in 1093 under the nobleman Burkhard von Broich): a fort built to guard against the Vikings advancing in 883 / 884. The Hellweg running through a ford in the Ruhr had to be protected from the Normans. The descendants of the aforementioned Burkhard von Broich "modernized" the castle (encircling wall built in 1200), the original complex fell into oblivion. From 1372 history shed more light on Broich Castle: Dietrich (1344 - 1401), Count of Limburg, became lord of the castle and obtained the blessing of the Counts of Berg for his actions. New buildings were added including the Gothic Palas (around 1400, completed in 1789). Disputes and power struggled: In 1443, 20,000 of the Archbishop of Cologne's soldiers besieged, destroyed and took the castle. Then: Reconstruction, the restoration of power.
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 Grandmother Albertine, lady of the castle at that time, completed large parts of the castle like the Palas and the so-called "glass cabinet". Yet: As early as 1808 this glory came to an end. Napoleon declared Mülheim complete with the castle a town. The last owner died in 1830. 17 years later the buildings were auctioned. A merchant from Mülheim bought and renovated it and built a villa in the castle courtyard. The castle has been in the possession of the town since 1938. After the Second World War the dilapidation could not be stopped until 1965. The extensive excavations which brought Broich's history to light were followed by restoration works. The function of the castle today: Part of the adult education complex, the setting for receptions and city functions or private ones: Some of the rooms and the inner courtyard can be hired for celebrations, parties or other private events (phone 02 08 / 9 40 96 12, e-mail: versenden). |
In 1446, Count Dietrich (1387 - 1455) became the magistrate and the parish of Mülheim on the right bank of the Ruhr also came under his jurisdiction. At the beginning of the 16th century family ties put Wirich von Daun at the helm in Broich. In the years to come the Lutheran teachings gained a foothold in the Ruhr valley under the protection of Broich. This provoked the Catholic Spaniards to march on the castle in 1598. It was besieged, all its inhabitants were slaughtered and the lord of the castle, Wirich VI, was murdered on 11th October 1598. The Daun line died out after the youngest scion (16 years of age) was killed by Count Moritz of Styrum. From then on Broich was ruled from afar and kept by courtiers. A final historical highlight: the era of Marie-Luise Albertine von Hessen-Darmstadt († 1818). A glorious era in the varied history of the castle, at one and the same time a court fairytale of a little princess who won the hearts of Mülheim's citizens and rose to the throne of Prussia: Luise von Mecklenburg-Strelitz, granddaughter of Marie-Luise Albertine von Hessen-Darmstadt. Luise visited Broich three times with her grandmother in the summer of 1787, 1789 and 1791. Many stories survive from this period.Kontakt
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Stand: 04.09.2009
