Friedersdorf Castle

It was built in Neo-Baroque style with decorative elements of Rococo style between 1887 and 1889 by the Royal Saxon Chamberlain and Rittmeister Hans Leo von Oppell. The architect was Heinrich Schubert from Dresden.

The main front of the castle faces the manor courtyard. Both the floor plan and the facade are strictly symmetrical. The two side wings protrude slightly from the central front. A sandstone portal crowned by two obelisks forms the entrance on the main front. Above the central window on the gable pediment, a cartouche is affixed, containing the monogram of the former lord of the castle, the year "Ao. 1887." and the blessing "The house's adornment is unity / The house's joy - hospitality / The house's luck - contentment / The house's blessing - piety." A roof dormer also emphasizes the center, and the slate-covered mansard roof underlines the stately impression. Numerous architectural elements cover the building. On the east side, facing the adjoining park, there is a wide terrace with an open staircase.

A modern extension (planned 2003-2004) to the castle on the north side, built from Oct. 2004 to Nov. 2005, was intended to be restrained. However, the balanced symmetry of the facades was lost, and the front side only features painted windows.

The former manor house of the old knight's seat, which Hans Leo von Oppell, who acquired the estate in 1877, consisted of half-timbering and was still covered with wooden shingles. It had emerged from a medieval moated castle, which was surrounded by a moat.

The last lady of the castle, Marie Louise Margarethe von Oppell, died on September 20, 1944. The old manor was expropriated and divided among new farmers in 1945, and the castle remained unchanged.

The castle was then used until 1957 as a further education and training center for the CDU of the GDR (Saxony regional association). After that, the municipality of Friedersdorf became the owner. It was partly vacant and rented out as a children's holiday camp to East Saxon companies. Around 1960, extensive renovation work took place, e.g., demolition of the old tiled stoves, installation of a gravity heating system, installation of the kitchen, renewal of the electrical system.

From August 1, 1961, it served as a retirement and nursing home and was initially supported by the municipality of Friedersdorf. In 1967, it was transferred to the United Health Institutions of the Löbau district.

After the reunification in 1992, the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Löbau took over the building and park through a user agreement with the Löbau district, which has been the owner since 1993. Since 1997, a hereditary building right agreement exists between the district and the ASB OV Löbau e.V.

Documents and memorabilia of the former castle owners, the von Oppell family, are stored on the second floor. Visits are not easily possible, as it would disturb the nursing operations.