Haniel Castle

The history of the site dates back to 1379, when the Steinhaus farm, on whose grounds the later Haniel Castle was built, was sold to Altenberg Abbey. In March 1925, retired district administrator Dr. Karl Haniel acquired the Steinhausen estate and developed it into an agricultural enterprise. Between 1927 and 1928, Haniel had the baroque-style “Great House” constructed as a hunting and guest house, equipped with a heated swimming pool and a bowling alley. The Haniel family had to leave the property in 1934, as Edith Haniel was considered not “pure Aryan” under the Nuremberg Laws. In 1941, the National Socialist People's Welfare acquired the castle and used it as a seminar for kindergarten teachers.