Friedland is located in the Oder-Spree district, about 8 km south of Beeskow. The town was first mentioned in a document in 1301. It was built at the junction of the roads from Lieberose, Beeskow and Neuzelle under the protection of a moated castle, which probably goes back to the Knights of Strehle and covered the crossing over the Dammmühlenfließ. It has retained the name StreleBurg Friedland until today.
The Order’s town of Friedland with the castle and 14 surrounding villages were the property of the Order of St. John from 1518 to 1866. Herrenmeister Johann von Schlabrendorf received “Friedland Castle and Town” as a pledge in 1518. Fifteen years later, the purchase of the manor of Friedland and the establishment of a chamber estate with 16 outlying estates and villages by the Order of St. John was sealed. The town was the second official town of the bailiwick next to Sonnenburg.
A devastating fire destroyed a large part of the village and the entire castle in 1623. After the Thirty Years’ War, 70 percent of the buildings and four of the six official mills in the “Friedländer Ländereien” lay in ruins. It was not until 1650 that the “Ordensburg”, which had been held until then by a Swedish colonel, could be taken back into possession. The exterior of the ensemble, which was rebuilt by 1658, is still preserved today. Settlement of the desolate land was progressive when measured against the historical circumstances. The respectful treatment of the Wendish and Jewish minorities initiated by the lord master Prince of Nassau-Siegen as well as the economic and land cultural development are among the lasting achievements of the almost 300 years of Johanniter rule in Friedland.
The well-preserved castle, owned by the town since 1875, with its residential tower, outbuildings and defences, is one of the tourist highlights of the region. In addition to the museum, it houses the tourist information office, a registry office and a restaurant. An extensive cultural programme guarantees exciting events for young and old.
