Eisfeld Castle

The origin of the castle lies in an old manor house, which was mentioned around 800. In the 12th century, the keep was erected. The property changed hands in 1353 to Burgrave Albrecht von Nuremberg, in 1374 to the Margraves of Meissen and later to the Dukes of Saxony - Hildburghausen.

In 1360, the Kemenate (stone house), in 1555 the kitchen wing and in 1580 the New Building were erected. In 1632, the castle burned down in the Thirty Years' War and was subsequently rebuilt. After 1680, it was used as a widow's residence, district court and prison. From 1728 - 41, the castle served as the widow's residence for Duchess Sophie Albertine of Saxony-Hildburghausen. In 1886, the prison building was erected in place of the old kitchen wing. The castle has a horseshoe-shaped floor plan, with a round tower with an onion dome rising in the northeast. Since 1948/1949, the castle has been used for cultural purposes; it is home to the Otto-Ludwig-Museum, which was opened in 1948 under the direction of Ernst Dahinten, with a significant regional historical collection.