Schwarzenberg Castle (German: Schloss Schwarzenberg) was based on a medieval fortification and together with St. George's Church dominates the scene of the large county town of Schwarzenberg in Saxony's district of Erzgebirgskreis.

The castle was probably founded in the 12th century as a fort and was the original base for the settlement of Schwarzenberg and its vicinity. The former castle was given its present appearance by a conversion into a hunting lodge for the Electorate of Saxony from 1555 to 1558. In 1851/52 its keep and south wing were raised and, in 1875/76, an office building extension was added.

Schwarzenberg Castle (Saxony)

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Stein Castle (German: Burg Stein or Burg und Schloss Stein) is a Saxon castle located southeast of Zwickau in the village of Stein in the municipality of Hartenstein on the rocky banks of the Zwickauer Mulde in the east German state of Saxony.

Just above the castle is a weir on the River Mulde. The impounded river drove a mill with four large water wheels. In 1788 its milling rights (Mahlzwang) were transferred from an older mill to this one. As a result of its exclusive milling rights, several mill tracks led to Stein. In 1912 the construction of a stately home, Wolfsbrunn House (Schloss Wolfsbrunn), began on the opposite bank of the river. The ruins of Isenburg castle are located only two kilometres upstream. Towards Langenbach were once the villages of Ober- and Niederopritz, which used to belong to Stein Castle, but were probably destroyed during the Hussite Wars.

The settlement of the Ore Mountains began in the 12th/13th centuries, especially along the rivers. River crossings and religious orders (Niederlassungen) were protected by fortified sites. Along the Zwickauer Mulde river, numerous castles were built.

Construction of the castle was probably started around 1200 on a rock made of hornblende right on the southern banks of the Mulde. This oldest part of the site form the upper ward (Oberburg) today, consisting of a round bergfried, a palas, with its great hall, and defensive walls. Its architecture still has Romanesque influences. The fortifications probably also served as an outer ward of Hartenstein Castle which had not at that time been converted into a stately residence or schloss.

The remaining elements of the building are younger. The pointed round tower in the southwest may have been erected in the 14th century; the other parts of the lower ward (Niederburg) at the end of the 15th century. The bergfried of the upper ward were enhanced in the 16th century by an additional storey (Aufbau).

There used to be a ford by the castle and, later, a ferry as well as various wooden and stone bridges, some of which, in old drawings, are portrayed as covered. A bridge toll was still charged until 1924. A more modern steel arch bridge (Stahlbogenbrücke) was blown up in 1945 by the SS; since 1950 there has been a concrete bridge on the site. The predecessor of the old Stein Castle is located on the steep northern banks of the Zwickauer Mulde above the station.

Northwest of the castle lies the remains of another very clearly visible fortification with a round mound (diameter ca. 30 metres), inner ditch (10 to 12 metres wide, 2 metres deep), rampart (ca. 5 m to 8 metres wide) and an outer ditch. On the steep slope towards the south-southwest the ditches do not run at the same depth and width. The site was mostly referred to as a motte-and-bailey castle (Turmhügelburg) and the predecessor to Stein Castle, and was sometimes referred to as Ur-Stein ("Ancient Stein"). More recent research discovered, however, that it is the remains of a medieval siegeworks.

In 1233 the castle was mentioned in the records for the first time: like the entire County of Hartenstein it came under the suzerainty of the burgraves of Meissen. Lord Heidenreich of Grünhain (Heidenricus miles de lapide, lapide meaning "rock castle") is its first known owner and he was the member of a family of the lesser nobility. The farming villages of Langenbach and Wildbach were bound by socage service.

The castellans (Burgherren) of the 14th century were notorious robber barons. One in particular, a certain Conradus de lapide, is accused in a 1320 document of numerous misdeeds. From 1406 the Schönburgs and their vassals were enfeoffed with the castle. The best known story by far revolves around Kunz von Kaufungen and the Kidnapping of the Saxon Princes in 1455: Kunz is described as a worthy and righteous knight. However, he felt unfairly treated by his lord, Elector Frederick the Gentle and wanted compensation. So he kidnapped the children of the Elector, the princes Ernest and Albert with the help of two accomplices. Prince Ernest was hidden in a nearby cave, subsequently called the Prince's Cave.

Kunz was caught and then beheaded in Freiburg on 14 July 1455.

In 1525 – at the time of the Great Peasants' Revolt – the castle was besieged by its socage farmers. The farmers took advantage of the absence of their socage lord, Ernest II of Schönburg. When he returned, however, with his troops from the Battle of Frankenhausen, the siege came to an abrupt end. The farmers were severely punished and many were executed.

When the Barony of Stein became independent of the County of Hartenstein the castle became a lordly residence in 1701/1702. In 1732 a great fire destroyed the lower ward, which was partially rebuilt and subsequently renovated in 1846.

The castle was owned by the aristocratic family of the Princes of Schönburg until their estate was confiscated in 1945 as part of the socialist land reform in East Germany. Since 1954 it has housed a castle and local history museum. In the newer part of the lower ward a convalescent home was established.

In 1996, following German reunification the castle and surrounding Poppen Forest were reprivatized and the castle was renovated after prince Alfred of Schönburg-Hartenstein (b. 1953) bought it back. It is, however, still partly accessible to the public and still houses a museum.

The Barony of Stein became independent of the County of Hartenstein in 1701/1702, when the castle became the seat of the barony. The barony contained the following villages:

Stein Castle and the present day village of Stein in the borough of Hartenstein
the village of Wildbach in the municipality of Bad Schlema with the castle of Isenburg, destroyed in 1320
the present day villages of Langenbach and Fährbrücke (founded in the 19th century) in the municipality of Langenweißbach
the two abandoned villages of Nieder- and Ober-Opritz between Stein and Langenbach
In 1740 the House of Wettin agreed a recess with the lords of Schönburg, by which the Schönburgs had to recognise the suzerainty of the Saxon royal house over the hitherto imperially immediate baronies of Waldenburg, Glauchau, Lichtenstein, Hartenstein (the lesser county) and Stein. The five recess lordship remained under Schönburg rule until 1878. Thereafter they were fully integrated into the Kingdom of Saxony. The Barony of Stein and the lesser County of Hartenstein (without the district of Lößnitz) went to the Amtshauptmannschaft of Zwickau.

Stein Castle (Saxony)

Stein Castle (German: Burg Stein or Burg und Schloss Stein) is a Saxon castle located southeast of Zwickau in the village of Stein in the municipality of Hartenstein on the rocky banks of the Zwickauer Mulde in the east German state of Saxony.

History

The settlement of the Ore Mountains began in the 12th/13th centuries, especially along the rivers. River crossings and religious orders (Niederlassungen) were protected by fortified sites. Along the Zwickauer Mulde river, numerous castles were built.

Construction and layout

Construction of the castle was probably started around 1200 on a rock made of hornblende right on the southern banks of the Mulde. This oldest part of the site form the upper ward (Oberburg) today, consisting of a round bergfried, a palas, with its great hall, and defensive walls. Its architecture still has Romanesque influences. The fortifications probably also served as an outer ward of Hartenstein Castle which had not at that time been converted into a stately residence or schloss.

The remaining elements of the building are younger. The pointed round tower in the southwest may have been erected in the 14th century; the other parts of the lower ward (Niederburg) at the end of the 15th century. The bergfried of the upper ward were enhanced in the 16th century by an additional storey (Aufbau).

There used to be a ford by the castle and, later, a ferry as well as various wooden and stone bridges, some of which, in old drawings, are portrayed as covered. A bridge toll was still charged until 1924. A more modern steel arch bridge (Stahlbogenbrücke) was blown up in 1945 by the SS; since 1950 there has been a concrete bridge on the site. The predecessor of the old Stein Castle is located on the steep northern banks of the Zwickauer Mulde above the station.

Northwest of the castle lies the remains of another very clearly visible fortification with a round mound (diameter ca. 30 metres), inner ditch (10 to 12 metres wide, 2 metres deep), rampart (ca. 5 m to 8 metres wide) and an outer ditch. On the steep slope towards the south-southwest the ditches do not run at the same depth and width. The site was mostly referred to as a motte-and-bailey castle (Turmhügelburg) and the predecessor to Stein Castle, and was sometimes referred to as Ur-Stein ("Ancient Stein"). More recent research discovered, however, that it is the remains of a medieval siegeworks.

Vassals

In 1233 the castle was mentioned in the records for the first time: like the entire County of Hartenstein it came under the suzerainty of the burgraves of Meissen. Lord Heidenreich of Grünhain (Heidenricus miles de lapide, lapide meaning "rock castle") is its first known owner and he was the member of a family of the lesser nobility. The farming villages of Langenbach and Wildbach were bound by socage service.

The castellans (Burgherren) of the 14th century were notorious robber barons. One in particular, a certain Conradus de lapide, is accused in a 1320 document of numerous misdeeds. From 1406 the Schönburgs and their vassals were enfeoffed with the castle. The best known story by far revolves around Kunz von Kaufungen and the Kidnapping of the Saxon Princes in 1455: Kunz is described as a worthy and righteous knight. However, he felt unfairly treated by his lord, Elector Frederick the Gentle and wanted compensation. So he kidnapped the children of the Elector, the princes Ernest and Albert with the help of two accomplices. Prince Ernest was hidden in a nearby cave, subsequently called the Prince's Cave.

Kunz was caught and then beheaded in Freiburg on 14 July 1455.

In 1525 – at the time of the Great Peasants' Revolt – the castle was besieged by its socage farmers. The farmers took advantage of the absence of their socage lord, Ernest II of Schönburg. When he returned, however, with his troops from the Battle of Frankenhausen, the siege came to an abrupt end. The farmers were severely punished and many were executed.

When the Barony of Stein became independent of the County of Hartenstein the castle became a lordly residence in 1701/1702. In 1732 a great fire destroyed the lower ward, which was partially rebuilt and subsequently renovated in 1846.

Recent history

The castle was owned by the aristocratic family of the Princes of Schönburg until their estate was confiscated in 1945 as part of the socialist land reform in East Germany. Since 1954 it has housed a castle and local history museum. In the newer part of the lower ward a convalescent home was established.

In 1996, following German reunification the castle and surrounding Poppen Forest were reprivatized and the castle was renovated after prince Alfred of Schönburg-Hartenstein (b. 1953) bought it back. It is, however, still partly accessible to the public and still houses a museum.

Burg Stein

Schloss Wildenfels erhebt sich auf einem Bergsporn über der Stadt Wildenfels nahe Zwickau in Sachsen. Es ist vor allem für seine einmaligen Papier- und Seidentapeten aus dem 18. Jahrhundert bekannt, welche sich in den ehemaligen Wohnräumen der gräflichen Familie befinden.

Geschichte

Die Herren zu Wildenfels begannen noch vor dem Jahr 1200 mit dem Bau ihrer Burg, die zum Sitz der Herrschaft Wildenfels wurde, welche sie von der reichsunmittelbaren Grafschaft Hartenstein zu Lehen nahmen. Nach der Trennung von der Grafschaft im Jahr 1440 war die Herrschaft Wildenfels bis 1706 ein sehr kleines, aber eigenständiges und reichsunmittelbares Reichsafterlehen, das nur die Stadt Wildenfels, zwei Dörfer und sechs Dorfanteile umfasste. Der älteste Teil der Anlage befindet sich am westlichen Ende der Anhöhe. Er bildete den Palas einer Burg, wurde später aber zum Kornhaus umgebaut. Die übrigen Gebäude, die den Hauptteil des heutigen Schlosses bilden, wurden später errichtet. Vorgelagert befinden sich Wirtschafts-, Wohn- und Verwaltungsgebäude.

Von 1602 bis 1945 befand sich das Schloss im Besitz der Grafen zu Solms-Wildenfels. Die Linie des ursprünglichen Adelsgeschlechts endete mit dem Tod Anarg Friedrichs von Wildenfels. Im Zuge dessen ging 1602 die Wildenfelser Herrschaft, mit allen Besitzungen und Rechten, an das Solmsche Grafenhaus über. Besonders unter Friedrich Magnus I. und seiner wohlhabenden Gattin Caroline Sophie von Leiningen-Hartenburg entwickelte sich die kleine Residenz zu einem kulturellen Kleinod der Region. Das Grafenpaar war der freigeistigen Gesinnung und den schönen Künsten zugetan und widmete sich daher intensiv dem Umbau der Anlage, des Schlossparks und der zeitgemäßen Ausgestaltung der Räume. Da der Graf den Grundsätzen des Humanismus und dem aufgeklärten Absolutismus verpflichtet war, gründete er 1776 die Freimaurerloge "Zum goldenen Apfel".  Dichter, Denker und Maler wurden auf das Schloss eingeladen. Am Fuße des Erzgebirges entstand ein Musenhof. Die Söhne Friedrich Magnus I. hielten am kulturellen Schwerpunkt der Familie fest.

1945 wurde das Schloss enteignet und Volkseigentum. Seither werden Teile als Wohnraum vermietet. Seit 1990 wird das Schloss grundlegend instand gesetzt. Ein Teil der Gebäude wird für öffentliche Veranstaltungen, Hochzeiten und weiterhin zum Wohnen genutzt. Zudem befindet sich eine Außenstelle der Kreismusikschule "Clara Wieck" des Landkreises Zwickau sowie die Stadtbibliothek der Stadt Wildenfels in dem historischen Gemäuer. Im Jahr 1998 wurde der gemeinnützige Verein "Freundeskreis Schloss Wildenfels e.V." gegründet, welcher sich für die Restaurierung der kostbaren Räumlichkeiten und Ausstattung engagiert. Einzigartig sind die im "Blauen Salon" und im "Chinesischen Kabinett" zu besichtigenden Seidentapeten aus dem 18. Jahrhundert. Es handelt sich hierbei um ehemals sehr verbreitete, aber nur noch äußerst selten erhaltene Wandbespannungen. Stück für Stück wurden und werden diese wieder zu altem Glanz erweckt.

Der vordere und hintere Burghof sowie der Schlosspark sind für eine Besichtigung zugänglich.



Schloss Wildenfels

Burg Wolkenstein, meist Schloss Wolkenstein genannt, ist eine hochmittelalterliche Burg in der Stadt Wolkenstein im Erzgebirgskreis in Sachsen (Deutschland). Seit 1963 befindet sich hier u. a. das Museum Schloss Wolkenstein.

Geschichte

Die Burg Wolkenstein wurde im 13. Jahrhundert erstmals urkundlich erwähnt. Die Herren von Waldenburg saßen als Ministeriale im Auftrag des deutschen Königs auf der Burg im Pleißenland, das im Zuge der Ostkolonisation unter deutsche Herrschaft gekommen war. Ab 1378 war Wolkenstein der Hauptsitz der Waldenburger. Nach dem Tod des letzten Waldenburgers fiel der Besitz 1473 als erledigtes Lehen an die Landesherren, die Wettiner. Nach 1500 war sie im Besitz von Heinrich dem Frommen, der als Nachgeborener die Ämter Wolkenstein und Freiberg zu seiner Versorgung erhielt. Er ließ die Burg ausbauen und nutzte sie als Jagdschloss. Sein Sohn August richtete sich die Anlage um 1550 als Schloss im Stil der Renaissance zum Wohnsitz ein, nutzte sie aber nach seiner Ernennung zum Kurfürsten von Sachsen 1553 nur noch als Nebenwohnsitz. Aufgrund der Schäden des Dreißigjährigen Krieges und der schleichenden Verwahrlosung verfielen einige Teile der Anlage. Bis zum 19. Jahrhundert dienten die Hauptgebäude als kursächsischer Amtssitz und bis in das 20. Jahrhundert als königlich-sächsisches Amtsgericht, später wurde dort eine Strafanstalt untergebracht, die bis 1951 bestand. Nach dem Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs wurden die Räumlichkeiten bis in die 1990er Jahre zu Wohnzwecken genutzt, 1963 entstand in einem Teil des Westflügels eine Heimatstube mit Handwerkerräumen, ab 1984 dienten Bereiche des Schlosses als landeskundliches Kabinett mit Volkskunstschule.

Nutzung seit 1990

Die Heimatstube wandelte sich nach der Wende in das Heimatmuseum der Stadt, wurde vergrößert und erhielt den Namen Museum Schloss Wolkenstein. Eine Gastwirtschaft (Zum Grenadier) befindet sich im Erdgeschoss, das Wolkensteiner Standesamt nutzt das historische Trauzimmer. Der Fürstensaal, ein restaurierter Festsaal im Südflügel, erinnert an die Zeit der wettinischen Herrschaft und dient für Veranstaltungen.