Schloss Zichow: A Historic Castle and Baroque Palace in Germany

Visitor Information

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Country: Germany

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Schloss Zichow is situated in the municipality of Zichow in present-day Germany. The site was established during the 13th century as part of the German eastward expansion, a period known as the Ostkolonisation, which saw settlers and nobles extend their influence into Slavic lands.

The earliest written record mentioning Zichow dates back to 1288, appearing in documents from the nearby Gramzow monastery. The castle itself likely originated around the mid-1200s, though its exact date of construction remains uncertain. By the mid-14th century, the fortress entered a dynamic phase of political change. In 1354, Margrave Ludwig II of the Romans transferred control of the castle to the Duchy of Pomerania under the Treaty of Oderberg. This arrangement was reaffirmed through border treaties between Pomerania and Brandenburg in 1355, indicating the castle’s importance in regional territorial negotiations.

Nearly a century later, in 1447, the castle returned under Brandenburg’s authority under Elector Friedrich II. Shortly after, in 1449, the property was pledged to Hans von Beerfelde, with the stipulation that he maintain the castle and provide its defense. This marks the beginning of a long tenure by one noble family. Starting in 1456, the von Arnim family took ownership and held the estate for nearly five centuries until 1945.

A significant transformation occurred in the mid-18th century when a fire damaged the original medieval structure. In response, the von Arnim family rebuilt the estate as a Baroque palace in 1745, utilizing the foundations of the earlier castle. This change reflected evolving architectural preferences and residential needs of the era while preserving the site’s historical legacy.

In the 20th and early 21st centuries, the estate remained a heritage-protected site. Prior to its sale in 2015 to investor Georg Thaler, local authorities undertook substantial renovations, focusing especially on restoring the roof and its supporting structures to preserve the building’s integrity.

Remains

The site of Schloss Zichow today presents a historic ensemble that blends medieval origins with Baroque architectural elements. The layout includes the main manor house, a small surrounding park with a pond, and the remaining portions of the original castle complex.

A prominent medieval remnant is the keep, or Bergfried, first recorded in 1527. This tall, fortified tower was originally a central defensive feature of the castle, serving as a stronghold and lookout. The keep’s sturdy stone construction has endured through centuries and stands close to the adjacent Baroque palace, providing a tangible link to the site’s medieval roots.

The Baroque palace itself is a two-story structure characterized by an L-shaped floor plan and a hipped roof, built directly on the old castle’s foundations after the 1745 fire. Its design reflects the 18th-century style, replacing the earlier fortress with a residence suited to peaceful noble living.

Within the castle grounds, the Fangerturm is also noted as an old tower associated with the medieval fortifications. Alongside the manor house, the presence of this tower integrates the site’s long history from defensive stronghold to stately home.

The small park surrounding the buildings features a pond, which contributes to the estate’s historic landscape as it has been maintained over time. Together, these elements—the Bergfried, Fangerturm, manor house, and park—compose a protected heritage monument. Recent restorative efforts focused on the roof and roof framework have helped preserve the structural soundness of the estate, ensuring that the architectural layers of history remain visible and intact.