Steinhaus Bunderhee
Description
The Steinhaus Bunderhee is one of the oldest preserved castles in East Frisia. Located near Bunde (Leer district), this three-story stone tower castle dates back to the 14th century and served as a chieftain's seat. It remains largely unchanged in structure and was expanded with a Baroque west wing in 1735.
History
The tower stands on a 5-meter-high ridge near Bunde and was originally built as a fortified storage building, not a residence. Features like small windows and a 3-meter-high original entrance (accessible only by ladder) indicate a defensive purpose. Despite legal bans (like the Brokmerbrief) on such buildings, local chieftains likely had special privileges.
By the 16th century, as peace returned to the region, the tower was converted into a residence. Larger windows, Gothic fireplaces, and an interior staircase were added. A Renaissance chimney and other features reflect the building’s adaptation for domestic use.
Ownership passed to Petrus Ficinus in 1595, and his descendants, the van Heteren family, expanded the residence with a Baroque-style house in 1712. The tower was then used as a storehouse.
Later Use
In the 20th century, restoration and archaeological work uncovered moats and water routes, including a 17th-century harbor connection. After changing ownership several times, the Ostfriesische Landschaft acquired and restored the building in the late 1970s.
From 1978 to 2002, it housed the North German Organ Academy, and later, it became the “Kunsthaus Steinhaus”, an artist residence. After structural damage forced its closure, a major restoration took place in 2010–2011.
Today
The Steinhaus is now a cultural venue, museum, and registry office. Exhibits focus on the history of East Frisian chieftains. Archaeological finds continue to shed light on the site’s past, including a 17th-century brick pathway discovered in 2017 that supports the theory of a former harbor.