Posterstein Castle

The origins of Posterstein Castle date back to the late 12th century, when it emerged as a small ministerial castle. During this period of high medieval territorial expansion east of the Saale-Elbe line, promoted by kings such as Conrad III and Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, numerous small lordships were occupied by ministeriales. A Gerhardus de Nubudiz, who appears multiple times in documents, is mentioned in 1191 alongside his mother Mechthild de Steinne. Recent research suggests that Posterstein Castle was the oldest seat of this family, who called themselves “de lapide” (of stone) from 1222 onwards. The surviving curtain walls and the 12-meter-high keep date from this early phase. By the end of the 13th century, the Vögte of Weida gained feudal lordship, which remained disputed until the 17th century. In 1442, Nickel Puster acquired the lordship, and under his family, who gave the castle its current name, reconstruction began to create a more habitable complex. The Pflugk family continued the transformation, converting the medieval castle into a Renaissance residence from 1528, as evidenced by the spiral staircase from 1575. Further Baroque alterations took place from 1684 to 1701, giving the castle its present appearance.