Altenstein Castle

The origins of Altenstein date back to the Middle Ages, when a castle stood here, strategically located on an old road over the Thuringian Forest and owned by the noble family of Stein. In 1346, the complex passed to the Landgraves of Thuringia via the Lords of Frankenstein. An episode occurred in 1521 when Martin Luther was abducted nearby on his return from the Diet of Worms and taken to Wartburg Castle for his safety. Although Neuenstein Castle was destroyed in the Peasants' War, Altenstein remained intact. However, in the Second Margrave War in 1554, the castle was plundered and devastated, after which it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. After a fire in 1733, the castle was rebuilt in 1736 as a Baroque country house.