Castle in Dobra (Łobez County)

The castle in Dobra in Łobez County is the knightly castle of the Dewitz family, preserved today as a ruin on a hill in the town. Of the former stronghold there survive fragments of the perimeter walls, a tower up to a height of about 9 m and the ruins of 16th-century buildings. The site has been entered in the heritage register since 1957.

From the 13th century to the blowing up in 1808

Construction of the castle began in the 1280s, about two kilometres south of the old stronghold by Lake Dobra. Its foundation is most probably linked with Przybysław IV of Parchim, to whom the area belonged from 1287. A Brandenburg raid in 1308 destroyed the stronghold, and the castle was abandoned for more than twenty years.

The von Dewitz family ruled here until 1808. The entry on the castle says that Gerhard von Dewitz became the owner at the end of the 14th century and extended the building, while the entry on the town says that the castle came into the hands of Ulrich I von Dewitz in 1338. In both versions it was the Dewitz family who by the end of the 15th century made it one of the most powerful knightly strongholds in the area. A south wing and a gate wing were added, and at the foot of the hill a second ring of walls with a corner tower, which also served as a prison.

Around 1538 Jobst von Dewitz rebuilt the castle as an early Renaissance defensive residence. A plaque with the coats of arms of Jobst von Dewitz and Ottilie von Arnim from this rebuilding is now displayed in the National Museum in Szczecin. The castle became a ruin in 1808, when a new owner had part of it blown up to obtain building material.

Saving the ruins

In 1859 part of the ruin was tidied, and in 1862 securing work was carried out. In 1906 the then owner obtained a state grant for renovation, and Hugo Lemcke made a measured survey with views of the elevations. The Second World War did no serious damage to the ruins.

Layout and form

The stronghold was founded on a natural hillock on a plan close to a square. The perimeter walls were built of brick on a stone foundation, and to the south the castle was protected by a moat. The spatial layout and the defensive system echoed the type of the Hospitaller castle, in particular the castle in Swobnica.

Nearby

Dobra has several historic monuments close together. About 200 metres from the castle stands the Church of St Clare, and less than 300 metres further on is the Dobra Land Museum.

Practical information

• Location: the castle hill in the town of Dobra, Łobez County.
• It is a ruin, so do not expect interiors to visit. None of the sources read gives opening hours or rules of entry, so ask the town office or the museum whether the site is accessible.
• The entry on the town mentions an annual fair with a re-enactment of the battle for the castle and knightly tournaments, held since 1999. Check the dates with the municipality.