Staatsschloss


 * "Ripuariaschloss" redirects here.

Staatschloss, formerly known as Ripuariaschloss, is the principle residence of the current ducal family of Ripuaria. It is situated near the city of Hazenberg south-west of Ripuaria City, and in central Ripuaria. It outlooks the Hove river and the northern Howffwiese. It is the oldest known inhabitable building in Ripuaria constructed approximately at 1000 AD.

During the middle ages it was under the ownership of the von Hazenberg family, under their rule it saw great growth and construction especially early on.

History
The first mention of the Staatschloss was from around 1000 AD from an acquisition treaty between an unnamed baron of Ripuariaschloss and a christian bishop known only as "Joseph". The treaty told of the baron's incoming death and his request to give the castle to the church in his final days. It is assumed that bishop Joseph had agreed to the baron's request as his name is signed on the acquisition treaty. It is reasonable to assume that the castle originated as a feudal lord's castle and later became a church holding. Historians assume that the bishop was from the nearby town of Riparium or Hazenberg.

By the end of the 11th century there were already concrete records of the von Hazenberg's family's ownership over the castle and the surrounding two towns of Riparium and Hazenberg. It was also at this time that the first fortifications of Riparium and Hazenberg were built with walls surrounding both towns. At that time the Cathedral of Saint Hubris was also built by the von Hazenberg family outside Riparium. Historians consider the area by that point very rich and prosperous considering the growth and construction the place over-went.