Liebenwerda Castle

The origins of Liebenwerda Castle date back to the early 13th century, when it was presumably built around 1207 as a castle during the German eastward expansion. It was part of a series of fortifications along the Black Elster river. The first documented owners were the Ileburg family around 1231. In 1330, a castle chapel is mentioned. Later, around 1384/1387, the castle came into the possession of the Knights of Rammelshayn, who acted as robber knights and were eventually expelled by a marksmen's guild. In 1420, Euphemia von Oels, the widow of Elector Albrecht III, took residence in the castle as a dower and initiated the construction of the front castle by 1424. A fire around 1487/1490 destroyed parts of the complex. In 1519, Martin Luther met with the papal nuncio Karl von Miltitz here.