Schraplau Castle

As early as the 9th century, Schraplau was mentioned as “Scrabenlebaburg” and later referred to as the fortified settlement “Scroppenlevaburch.” The Altenburg, a folk castle, was established by Slavs in the 9th to 10th centuries, with an earthen rampart, dry stone wall, and moat still remaining today. In the 10th and 11th centuries, the castle was owned by the imperial immediate Lords of Schraplau, who were likely related to the noble Lords of Querfurt. With the death of Egeloff von Schraplau in 1196, this lineage died out. Around 1200, the Archdiocese of Magdeburg assumed feudal lordship and erected the Romanesque castle in the western part of the Altenburg. This was granted to the Burgraves of Magdeburg from the Querfurt noble family, who appointed bailiffs for administration. In the 13th century, the family of Schraplau, a collateral line of the Querfurts, experienced an increase in power and expanded their possessions.