Friesenhagen



Friesenhagen is a municipality in the north of the district of Altenkirchen, in Rhineland-Palatinate, in Western Germany.

Geography
Friesenhagen is the northernmost community of Rhineland-Palatinate. With an area of 51.3 km2, it is also the largest community in the district of Altenkirchen.

Oftentimes, the Friesenhagen area is also referred to as "Wildenburger Land", owing to the presence of nearby Castle Wildenburg.

History
Friesenhagen was first mentioned in a papal document issued by Pope Innocence II in the year 1311.

The altar of its St. Sebastian's church is attributed to the first half of the 13th Century.In the late medieval period, marked by the 30-year war (1618 to 1648) and for more than half a century, Friesenhagen was the location of infamous witch-hunts. Over 200 people, both male and female, perished in the years of persecution between 1590 and 1652. The executions of supposed witches took place on "Blumenberg", a hill overlooking the village of Friesenhagen. In memory of the persecutions, St. Anna Chapel, more commonly referred to as "red chapel", was built in this location.