Harderwyken Castle

The Harderwykenburg in Leer is the oldest preserved house in the city. It is one of the oldest castles in East Frisia and is traditionally referred to as the “First House of Leer.”

The origins of the Harderwykenburg date back to the 15th century. Around 1421, chieftain Focko Ukena had the Fockenburg built as a “High House.” Ten years later, in 1431, Ukena was expelled by his adversaries, led by Enno Cirksena, and the Fockenburg was completely destroyed. Around 1470, Hajo Unken, grandson of Focko Ukena, had the Unkenburg built in the style of a “High House” on a geesthill not far from the destroyed Fockenburg. This castle featured a three-story tower with a height of approximately 16.20 meters, whose walls were up to three meters thick. The ground floor housed a flat cap vault and a well, while the first upper floor served as a storage area and the second as an administrative section. In the 17th century, under Dietrich Harderwyk, the husband of Armgard Unken, the castle was converted from a storage castle to a residential castle.