Osterburg Castle

In the 13th and 14th centuries, Groothusen was a central meeting place for the Emsigerland and also the main town of one of the four sub-districts. Here resided the consul and dean, who exercised secular and ecclesiastical power. Originally, one family united both functions in a stone house, presumably located at the western end of the terp near the church, considered a precursor to the Westerburg. With the division of administrative tasks between two families, the Osterburg was built, serving as the dean's residence and located at the eastern end of the terp. Later, the Middelsteburg was added. In 1400, the Osterburg and in 1435 the Westerburg were destroyed by Hamburg, as local chieftains supported the Vitalienbrüder in raids on the Hanseatic League.