Markkleeberg Castle

A moated castle in Markkleeberg was first mentioned in a document in 1190 as being in the possession of Bero de Cleberg. The resulting manor was owned by the Knights of Cleberg until 1273. After this, ownership changed in 1350 to Knight Heinrich von Haldecken, in 1462 to Hans von Haugwitz, in 1554 to Ernst von Schönfeld, in 1581 to the von Starschedel family, in 1621 to the Leipzig family Ackermann, and in 1660 to the von Fullen family. They had the current castle built. After this, ownership changed in 1731 to Christoph von Lohse and in 1782 to the von Funke family, who had the castle rebuilt. From 1836, several changes of ownership took place. From 1917 until his expropriation and expulsion by the communists in 1945, the castle was owned by Dr. Hoppe, who used it as an experimental farm. After 1945, an agricultural research institute of the University of Leipzig was established in the castle. In 1947, the research institute was dissolved and new farmer settlements were established. From 1948 to 1957, the castle served as a children's hospital and from 1957 to 1990 as an LPG (Agricultural Production Cooperative). In 2000, the Hoppe family was able to buy back the property and renovated the castle.