Kettenburg Castle

The Kettenburg is a medieval moated castle in Gräfentonna, Gotha district, which was rebuilt several times and served as a correctional facility for 130 years until 1992.

As early as 874, the place was mentioned as the residence (villa Tonna) of the Counts of Tonna. In 1089, it was inhabited by Erwin I. The oldest parts are the 35 m high tower in the north wing and the tall front house in the northeast. Around 1200, the building was newly constructed as a typical late Romanesque moated castle (surrounded by a moat, whose water was fed by the Seegraben) as the castle of the Counts of Gleichen and Tonna on an area of almost 12,000 m².

The castle forms a rectangle of 2604 m² (62 x 42 m). The four-winged core castle received a trapezoidal outer bailey. In 1375, the castle was restored after a fire and equipped with contemporary stylistic elements. The south and east wings were expanded in several stages in the 16th century.

The west wing dates from the 16th or 17th century. From the mid-17th century until 1861, the castle served as the princely official residence of the Duke of Gotha. In 1761, alterations were made for the princely bailiff of Gotha. Some rooms served as storage for tithe produce. Until 1859, the castle served as the seat of the judicial and rent office and was thoroughly redesigned until 1861.

From 1861 to 1991, the building served as a penitentiary and perhaps acquired its name during this period. In 1873, it was expanded by adding a third floor to the south and west wings and by an extension on the north side. 282 individual cells "accommodated" the inmates at night. Previously, a tower watchman inhabited the tower, who blew a horn when danger threatened or an enemy became visible. During the penitentiary era, an "inmate" climbed the tower daily to wind the clock.