"DILLENBURG" a Dillenburg Travel Page by pieter_jan_v

On our way to the Karlsruhe Euromeet2008 we made a spontaneous detour to the city of Dillenburg. This town has many links to the Royal Dutch family. The castle has been the home of the counts of Nassau, the ancestors of the Dutch Kings and Queens.

The first constructions started in 1130 and in 1254 the castle was completed and officially grounded.
In 1344 Emperor Ludwig den Bayern gave Dillenbyeg its city rights.
Two big churches were build and from 1525 to 1535 a big wall of 300 meters with a height of 20 meters was constructed. In the mean time Dillenburg started with the Reformation.

In 1533 Wilhelm I von Oranien was born at the Dillenburg. From the castle he would start the liberation of the Netherlands in 1568 to free the country of the Spanish occupation.

From 1588 till 1620 a new city wall was constructed.

In 1634 Swedish soldiers rensack the Dillenburg during the 30 year war.

In 1640 the last witch execution is performed.

In 1664 for the first time potatoes and tabacco come to Dillenburg.

In 1723 half of all houses is burned down during a big fire; the City Hall is rebuild.

In 1739 the Dillenburg is being inherited by the Dutch House of Oranien-Nassau .

In 1760 France soldier destroy the castle during the 7 year war..

In 1808 Napoleon Bonaparte becomes Landesherr of the Dillenburg Kingdom.

From 1872 till 1875 The Wilhelmsturms is constructed.