Ranis Castle

The origins of the fortification on the castle hill date back to the 11th century. In 1084, Castrum Ranis was first documented when Emperor Henry IV enfeoffed Wiprecht von Groitzsch with it. In the 12th century, the castle served as the seat of imperial ministerials and played a role as a border fortress against the Slavs. Emperor Otto IV pledged the castle to the Counts of Schwarzburg, who were enfeoffed with it by Emperor Frederick II in 1220. In the 13th and 14th centuries, ownership changed between the Counts of Kevernburg and Schwarzburg, until it was sold to the Wettins in 1389.