Wernigerode Castle

The origins of the settlement of Wernigerode date back to the 11th century, with the first documented mention of a Count of Wernigerode occurring in 1121. Wernigerode Castle itself was first referred to as a "castrum" in 1213. It was built on a hill approximately 100 meters above the settlement by Count Adalbert or his descendants, who established their seat of power there. The strategically favorable location at the crossroads of two trade and military routes encouraged the settlement of craftsmen and merchants. On April 17, 1229, the Counts of Wernigerode granted the settlement town rights, modeled after Goslar. The territory of the County of Wernigerode was finally formed in 1343 when the Counts of Regenstein were forced to cede territories after a war. After the male line of the Counts of Wernigerode died out in 1429, the county passed to the related Counts of Stolberg.