Arnstein Castle

The first documented mention of Arnstein Castle dates back to August 4, 1436. At that time, the complex was owned by the Berken von der Dubá and was pledged to the Bohemian nobleman Siegmund von Wartenberg from Tetschen. As von Wartenberg's raids threatened Saxon and episcopal-Meissen territories as well as trade routes, the Electorate of Saxony and the League of Six Cities besieged the castle in the same year. After a ceasefire, a peace treaty was signed in October 1436. However, just half a year later, a follower of von Wartenberg attacked several villages, kidnapped their inhabitants, and stole livestock. Consequently, in 1437, the Saxon princes allied with Heinrich von der Dubá von Wildenstein, besieged the castle again, and burned it down.