Burg Friedeburg, Medieval castle ruins in Friedeburg, Germany.
Burg Friedeburg is a ruined late-medieval fortress southeast of Friedeburg in the Wittmund district. Its stone house measured about eleven by eight metres and stood on a narrow spur of the Oldenburg-East Frisian geest ridge, surrounded by marshes. Around 1440 a square moated enclosure was added. A viewing platform now stands on the site of the former keep.
The first stone house was built around 1359, probably by Fredo von Wangern, on land claimed by the Kankena family, to guard the Frisian army road against the counts of Oldenburg. In 1434 Count Dietrich of Oldenburg took the castle from Focko Ukena; the Frisians bought it back for 4000 guilders and demolished the fortifications. From about 1440 Cirk von Friedeburg rebuilt a square moated stronghold. It was razed in 1763 on Frederick the Great's orders.
The name Friedeburg means "peace castle", yet the site was built against the counts of Oldenburg and became a refuge in the East Frisian chieftain feuds: Focko Ukena fled here in 1431. Around 1440 Cirk von Friedeburg rebuilt it as a square stronghold ringed by a moat. Since 2002 a scale model shows the former layout.
The site is largely open to visitors, with informational signs explaining the architecture and history at several points. A viewing platform near the former keep foundations offers a good view across the surrounding plains and helps understand the fortress's strategic position.
A 1775 windmill stood on the castle site until its demolition in 1981, and since 2002 a scale model shows the plan of the former castle and the position of its buildings relative to the surviving ruins. The viewing platform was placed on the spot of the former keep.
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