Brilon

Brilon´s first reference occurs in a deed of Emperor Otto II dated 973. He confirmed to the Cathedral of Magdeburg possessions in Westphalia, including the Villa Brilon. The estate was passed later by an exchange to the Archbishops of Paderborn.

In about 1220 Archbishop Engelbert I of Cologne acquired the Brilon. The Archbishop laid out a fortified town and gave it municipal rights. This was followed by bloody conflicts between the Archbishops of Cologne and the Bishops of Paderborn over the rights of possession of the place. These ended when the Bishop of Paderborn, after being taken prisoner, waived his rights to Brilon (1256).

Thereafter Brilon developed into a thriving town of about 3,000 inhabitants with an active trading and mining life. As a trading town, Brilon was also a member of the Hanseatic League. In 1350 Brilon had between 500 and 600 houses. At this time Brilon held the position of the second city of Westphalia behind Soest.

In 1655 the Gymnasium Petrinum was founded as a monastery school. It is thus one of the oldest Gymnasien ("grammar schools") in Westphalia.

Due to conflicts and military actions economic declined. After the Congress of Vienna of 1816 Brilon was transferred to Prussia, which made it the centre of the Prussian district.


Westphalia is better known for half-timbered than for Art Nouveau architecture