Nobody can get past Miss Maria in Jever. Although she died more than 400 years ago - or, as they say in Jever, has not been seen since 1575 - Maria is omnipresent:a street, a monument, a high school and a church bell bear her name. It was she who gave Jever city rights "on the first Wednesday of Lent" - Ash Wednesday - in 1536. Maria von Jever, her official name, ruled the city and the associated lands so skilfully that Jever is still called Marienstadt today.
Daughter of the last chief
The role of regent, which is unusual for a woman, falls to Maria as the daughter of the last chief of the Frisians, Edo Wiemken the Younger. She was born in 1500, her parents died young and when her brother also died, Maria was determined to be the successor. However, she is still too young to take over the regency. Her guardians agree on a marriage contract with Count Edzard von Ostfriesland, which secures him the patronage over Jeverland. However, the East Frisians did not keep their promise and occupied Jever Castle. The East Frisian Drost Boing from Oldersum comes to Maria's aid and drives the intruders away. He is later considered Maria's lover.
Maria von Jever:A woman with skill and ambition
In the 16th century, Maria had Jever Fortress expanded into a Renaissance palace.Contrary to custom, Maria does not marry the son of a count, but governs the country herself with an iron will and skill. Around 1564 she creates a memorial for her father Edo in the town church. The imposing tomb in the Dutch Renaissance style has been preserved to this day and is considered the most important work of art in Jever.
Since Maria has no children, the dynasty of the Papinga chief family, which ruled in Friesland since the second half of the 14th century, dies out with her. A legend says that Maria disappeared down an underground passage in the castle park in 1575. Just like back then, the Marienbell rings in the tower of the town church every evening - until she returns.
The city as a plaything for the powerful
An etching by Heinrich van Lennep in the castle museum shows "die Statt Ihever" around 1671After Maria's death, Jever initially fell to the Counts of Oldenburg. Almost 100 years later, the region belongs to Anhalt-Zerbst and in 1793 Empress Catherine II of Russia, a princess from the House of Anhalt-Zerbst, inherits the city. For years the area remained the plaything of the powerful in Europe, was ceded to Holland, belonged to France, again to the Russian Tsarist Empire and finally from 1818 on again to the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. After the end of the monarchy in 1918, Jever became part of the Free State of Oldenburg and has belonged to the district of Friesland since 1939.
Town houses characterize the old town
The origins of Jever lie in settlements that existed there more than 1,000 years ago. In the 11th century, the town with its seaport was already one of the most important trading centers on the North Sea. The port silted up and later embankments ensured that the city is inland today. Jever was always a small town and had around 5,000 inhabitants at the end of the 19th century. Today, after several incorporations, there are a good 14,000.
The Renaissance facade of the town hall from the years 1609/10 has been largely preserved.Old town and office buildings still characterize the historical town center at the castle. It has always been the center of the city and houses a cultural history museum and an extensive library. The town hall on the church square dates from the early 17th century, the magistrate's house from 1704. Jever's landmark, the castle tower and former fortified tower, received its baroque hood in the 18th century. As a district town and state-approved resort, Jever attracts thousands of visitors every year.