Wysburg Castle

The construction of Wysburg is presumed to have taken place in the 11th century. Rudolf von Habsburg ordered the destruction of 66 robber baron castles in Thuringia between 1289 and 1290. For the siege of Wysburg, a trebuchet, a large stone-throwing machine, was set up west of the castle on an opposing height. From there, projectiles weighing up to 81 kilograms, made of Zechstein dolomite, were hurled across the valley. After its capture, the castle was razed. The site served as a quarry for the surrounding villages, leading to the loss of much of its structure. In the 20th century, initial surveys and minor excavations began. From 1985 onwards, scientific excavations led by Hubert Roßbach gradually restored the walls, with red bricks marking the original height. Among the discoveries were economic buildings, the keep, the palas, and a cistern system, whose rock basin could hold approximately 350,000 liters.