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 Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.
The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.
The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.