Osterstein Castle, Zwickau, Germany

Osterstein Castle is the former castle of the town of Zwickau, today it houses the nursing home.

First mentioned in 1292, it was badly damaged in a fire in 1403, and demolished between 1404 and 1407 under William I, Margrave of Meissen. It was rebuilt during the reign of Christian I, Elector of Saxony in 1587-1590 as a magnificent Renaissance castle.

In the 18th century Zwickau Prison was established in the castle, which with interruptions, was used until after the Second World War. There were numerous prominent prisoners, including Karl May, August Bebel, Rosa Luxemburg and Martin Hoop.

During the Second World War, it was used as a concentration camp. On 31 December 1962, after 187 years, the use of the castle as a prison ended, although a public bathhouse continued to operate in an intermediate wing of modern construction, on the Dr.-Friedrich-Ring. The former arsenal and the cell block were used to house the archives of the local coal mining industry, and for storage by various local businesses. Parts of the premises were demolished.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Paul Goerg (2 years ago)
Very good facility.

P (3 years ago)
Everything is just right here, from an extensive, serious admission interview to maintenance and the building itself. The staff is very friendly, empathetic and competent. The building, the Osterstein Castle, is in an absolutely clean and modern condition, one has the impression that one is in a hotel. There are regular events and other useful activities for the residents. I can recommend this house with a clear conscience!

Patrick Star (4 years ago)
Not recommendable at all. Neither as a job nor as a nursing home for the elderly ...

Pavol Cvíčela (4 years ago)
Schloss Osterstein is a public transport bus stop in Zwickau.

Alwin Albrecht (4 years ago)
I found the castle very nice. The Renaissance building is now a retirement home. Not bad either.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.

Osterstein Castle

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historical Gems of Costa Verde

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle