Haus Egelborg is a moated castle, the oldest part of which was built in the style of the Dutch Renaissance. The imposing complex was first mentioned in documents in the 14th century and is located to the west of the town of Legden in a large wooded area.
From the beginning until the 17th century, the Lords of Billerbeck looked after the estate. The north wing of the main house still bears witness to this period. In 1559, the octagonal stair tower was added. With the west wing now demolished, the estate was an imposing example of Dutch Renaissance architecture.
When the estate became the property of the Barons of Oer, the west wing of the manor house was demolished in 1710 and replaced by a Baroque building, which was completed in 1713. In 1767, a half-timbered extension and a coach house were added to the complex. The residential and stable buildings south of the moat were erected in 1832. The imposing outer bailey, which today first delights visitors, was built in neo-Gothic style in 1866.
The Baron von Oer family still occupies the estate today, which is why it is not open to the public and can only be visited as part of a guided tour. The baron himself guides visitors around the estate, which is steeped in tradition, and into the house's own chapel. But Haus Egelborg is also a worthwhile destination without a guided tour. Numerous hiking trails lead around the beautiful moated castle and through the adjacent Egelborg Forest. During relaxed walks, you can always enjoy a fascinating view of the beautiful Haus Egelborg from a distance.
References:The Jan Hus Memorial stands at one end of Old Town Square. The huge monument depicts victorious Hussite warriors and Protestants who were forced into exile 200 years after Hus, and a young mother who symbolises national rebirth. The monument was so large that the sculptor designed and built his own villa and studio where the work could be carried out. It was unveiled in 1915 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus' martyrdom. The memorial was designed by Ladislav Šaloun and paid for solely by public donations.
Born in 1369, Hus became an influential religious thinker, philosopher, and reformer in Prague. He was a key predecessor to the Protestant movement of the sixteenth century. In his works he criticized religious moral decay of the Catholic Church. Accordingly, the Czech patriot Hus believed that mass should be given in the vernacular, or local language, rather than in Latin. He was inspired by the teachings of John Wycliffe.