Broich Castle

The origins of Broich Castle date back to 883, when Vikings conquered Duisburg. Duke Heinrich of the East Frankish Kingdom subsequently had a fortified military camp built in the winter of 883/884 to secure the river and the Hellweg. After the Vikings' departure, the complex was initially abandoned. At the end of the 11th century, it was rebuilt by the noble lords of Broich, who were first documented in 1093. In 1188, Archbishop Philipp I of Cologne acquired the castle to consolidate his power. From the late 12th century, the complex was expanded into a fortress, including a massive keep that withstood a siege in 1240. After the extinction of the Lords of Broich in 1372, the dominion passed to the Counts of Limburg. Between 1380 and 1400, a Gothic palas was built. In the 15th century, the castle was besieged multiple times and finally captured and severely damaged in 1443. Restoration lasted until 1444. In the 16th century, the dominion passed to the Daun-Falkenstein family through inheritance, who undertook renovations. During the Cologne War and the Eighty Years' War, Broich suffered damage and was captured by Spanish troops in 1598. Repairs only took place in the mid-17th century under Count Wilhelm Wirich von Daun-Falkenstein, who had the current Hochschloss built.