Dryburg Castle

The origins of Dryburg date back to the 12th century, when the Lords of Salza erected the fortress. In 1212, during the Hohenstaufen-Welf conflict over the imperial throne, the castle was besieged by Emperor Otto IV. After 1212, Salza was elevated to a town, and Dryburg was integrated into the town's fortifications. Due to inheritance disputes, the Lords of Salza began selling their rights to the castle and town from 1342 to the Landgrave of Thuringia and the Archbishopric of Mainz. During the Thuringian Counts' Feud, Dryburg was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1346. Following its reconstruction under the joint administration of the Wettins and the Archbishopric of Mainz, the complex lost its military significance and thereafter served as a residence and administrative seat.