Elsterberg Castle

The ruined castle Elsterberg was preceded by another castle, about 400 meters from the current ruin, above the confluence of the Tremnitzbach in the Elster. In the period from 1200 to 1225 the Lords of Lobdeburg built a new castle complex , which with 1.5 hectares of built-up area was one of the largest fortresses in Saxony. According to legend, the two castles are said to have been connected to each other via underground passages and a leather bridge.

The castle was destroyed in the Vogtland War in 1354 and then rebuilt until 1366. It has a double ring wall of considerable strength and five watchtowers and was the center of the Elsterberg rule . Three of the towers are in good condition. The former main building had a wide vaulted knight's hall with an outside staircase . A castle well , uncovered in 1932 and once allegedly 26 meters deep, supplied the castle residents with water.

In 1395, the Margraves of Meißen acquired the castle complex, but pledged it to the von Wolframsdorf family as early as 1402 . The castle finally came into the possession of the von Bünau family in 1437 . The lords of Bünau sold them together with the city in 1636 to their relative Carol Bose . Since it was no longer inhabited by the subsequent owners since 1698, it fell into disrepair over time. On May 25, 1909, it was sold for 13,000 marks to the municipality of Elsterberg, which from then on endeavored to maintain the building.

The castle grounds are freely accessible. The renovated cellar vaults are used every year for festivities, especially for the local festivals that have been celebrated since 1883. The Heimatstube is located in one of the two preserved round towers .

References:

• second.wiki

Address

Vorderer Schloßberg 6, Elsterberg, Germany

Details

Founded: 1200-1225
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Hohenstaufen Dynasty (Germany)