Burg Holtzbrinck, Heritage castle in Altena, Germany.
Burg Holtzbrinck is the oldest burgher's house in Altena, named for its castle-like construction. Its oldest section probably dates from the 16th century; the present form results from changes made between 1673 and 1689. Inside are the Georg-von-Holtzbrinck-Saal, the Kamin-Zimmer and the Blaues Zimmer, the wedding room.
Burg Holtzbrinck is the oldest townhouse in Altena; its oldest section probably dates from the 16th century, and it was first documented in 1643 when the rentmaster and Freigraf Georg Holtzbrinck (c. 1610–1664) bought it. His son Stephan Johann Holtzbrinck (1636–1703) made substantial alterations between 1673 and 1689, giving the building its present form. In 1894 it passed to Hans von Carlowitz through his marriage to Louise Eva Anna von Holtzbrinck; his second wife Elfriede had it renovated and converted the stables and servants' quarters into flats before selling it to the town of Altena in 1972.
The building is used as a Bürgerhaus, a municipal community and meeting venue. Its Georg-von-Holtzbrinck-Saal holds 160 people, the Kamin-Zimmer 30, and the Blaue Zimmer serves as the Trauzimmer where civil weddings take place for up to 10 guests. The name "Burg" comes from the castle-like construction, not from noble origin.
The building is a meeting place in Altena's town centre, with rooms for 10 (Blue Room, used for weddings), 30 (fireplace room), 60 (including bar and kitchen) and 160 people (Georg-von-Holtzbrinck-Saal). The Rococo garden in front of the building sits on a car park built in 1980–81.
A Rococo garden sits atop an underground parking garage built in 1980, merging historical architecture with modern facilities. This unusual combination shows how the castle adapted to contemporary needs over time.
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