Send Gift Baskets to Siegen, Germany

The name Siegen likely refers to the Sicambri people, who lived in parts of Germany in pre-Christian times. There is however no indication of how or if there’s a connection. Sigena’s history is remarkably shaped by the mining industry, which began as early as La Tène times. The city has many mines still in use today that bear witness to that time.

In 1224, Siegen was mentioned as a newly built town whose ownership was shared by the Count of Nassau, Heinrich the Rich, and Engelbert II of Berg after the latter transferred one half. Moreover, there is proof that the Oberes Schloss (Upper Stately Home) was already standing at this time. On 19 October 1303, the town was granted Soester Stadtrecht or Soest town rights. The town remained under the two overlords’ joint ownership only until February 1, 1381, when it finally passed fully into Nassau’s hands.

Siegen in the 16th century was very formidable with its great walls and towers. However, they also endured destruction from fires that occurred far too often. There is a lot of documentation to show how Siegen’s fires left it in ruin sometimes.

In 1536, a “paedagogium” was built in the buildings that had once housed a Franciscan Monastery. It later grew into today’s Gymnasium at Siegen’s Löhrtor, which is the city gate. “John VII of Nassau-Siegen built the Unteres Schloss on the site of an old Franciscan Monastery. In 1616, John VII founded a knightly war school in the still-standing old armory.”

When John VIII returned in 1612 (known as “The Younger”), he wanted to reconnect with the Roman Catholic Church. He wanted to bring this traditional faith back, and by force if necessary. 1632 marks a crucial and often overlooked moment in the Christian Reformation. Sweden conquered Nassau-Siegen, and his brother John Maurice at this point re-introduced Protestantism to Brazil. John VIII willed the dissolution of Nassau-Siegen and was succeeded by his only son, Johan Frans Desideratus who inherited these territories.