KREIBSTEIN CASTLE - SAXONY
Knights Castle of Waldheim
Kriebstein Castles stands dramatically on a steep rock cliff over the Zschopau River, just two miles upstream from Waldheim, sometimes called Saxony’s most beautiful “Knights Castle”. Typical of a mountain spur castle for easy defense it sits on the outer stone edge of a foothill where the river flows around on three sides in a deep ravine with entrance from a former drawbridge across a dug dry moat on the hill facing side surrounded by thick forested woods. The castle’s form is a combined tower keep and ring fortress design. The residential tower rises from the sharp rock cliff above the river, giving the castle its dramatic face, while the oval ring encompasses the kitchens, a utility building, the chapel and tower gate house. At the heart of the complex is the vaulted gothic hall. The banquet hall in the utility wing is used as the concert and performance venue.
Kriebstein Castle was first built beginning in 1384 by Dietrich von Beerwalde as a residence and ruling seat for his family estate which including the towns of Waldheim and Hartha, with the original foundations of the castle completed by 1407, only a year before his death when Dietrich’s widow Elizabeth inherited the castle and lands. In 1465, the Kriebstein castle and estate was acquired by Hugold III von Schleinitz the Lord Marshal to the Elector Ernest and Duke Albert. Schleinitz began an expansion of the fortress in 1471, commissioned from the master architect of Meissen’s Albrectsburg Castle, Arnold von Westfallen. This period gave the castle most of its current shape with the construction of the utility wing, adding the Gothic Ballroom and Well Chamber, as well as the kitchens with his signature window forms. Later extensions and some structural addition have left this period of the castle’s 15th Century character intact.
After Hugold von Schleinitz’s death in 1490, ownership changed hands a number of times preventing further additions, though the Kriebstein territory reached its most expansive importance by 1550 following its days as the Wittum (widow's benefit) of Elisabeth of Rochlitz (see Castle Rochlitz Reformation). The late 1600’s saw some renovations under the rulers of Schoenberg with floors connecting the residential tower and gatehouse. Some modest additions of the Lords von Milkau are commemorated by an inscription on the weather vanes. The castle was finally acquired by Hanscarl von Arnim of from Zwickau in 1825 and the property remained in the hands of the Arnim family until the end of World War II in 1945 and the division of Germany. The Arnim’s made a number of alterations in Neo-Gothic style between 1866 and 1868 under the supervision of Saxony Court Master Builder Carl Moritz Haenelm, with some significant structural changes to the residence and defensive walls, but maintaining the essential medieval character of the castle. Since 1993, Kriebstein Castle and its museum have been owned by the Free State of Saxony.
Faithful Lady of Kriebstein Legend
A principal medieval tale of Kriebstein dates from the stormy period after the end of the Von Beerwalde dynasty. In 1415, a knight named Dietrich von Staupitz and his men at arms took the castle in a surprise assault. The Saxony Margrave Frederick the Belligerent laid siege to the castle for the unauthorized land grab. After a long desperate time under siege, von Staupitz’s wife begged of the count that he allow the women to leave the castle with the most precious belongings in they could carry. Frederick expected them to be holding their jewels and finery, but when he granted permission, was stunned when the castle gate was opened and the women were carrying their husbands on their backs. The lord was so touched by the clever deception of the faithful ladies of Kriebstein that he pardoned the greedy knight.
For visitors today the Castle Kriebstein hosts a number of events through the year with medieval reenactments, knight’s battles, music concerts and holiday festivals. There is a small children’s toy museum in the castle and an armory collection. The castle inn restaurant the “Zum Hungerturm” named for the intersection of the tower and the wall known in local terms as the “Starving Dungeon” has seating for 36 indoors and 24 in the garden for lunch or afternoon tea.
Visiting Castle Kriebstein
Open hours are Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 4pm February 15th through March. 10am to 5:30pm April to October and Saturday/Sunday/Holidays in November. Closed Mondays. Last admission is an hour before closing. Entrance admission is Entry €6 for adults with concession of €3 for students, and children 6 to 15. A photo video permit is €2.50. Kriebstein Castle is included with a Schloesserland Pass for free admission to permanent exhibits and reduced admission to special exhibitions. Kriebstein Castle is about 30 minutes from Leipzig or Dresden on the route A14. There is limited parking near the castle with a large car park at the Water Dam with a 15 minute walk up a marked footpath. Follow the tourist signs for Burg Kriebstein -/Talsperre Kriebstein. © Bargain
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Burg Kriebstein
These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission. Knights performace photo courtesy Burg Kriebstein.
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