Oberlichtenau Castle

The castle's origins date back to 1718, when Count Christian Gottlieb von Holtzendorff inherited the Oberlichtenau manor. Starting in 1724, he commissioned the construction of the Baroque castle and the creation of an English and French-style park, adorned with sandstone sculptures. In 1744, Holtzendorff sold the property to the Electorate of Saxony's minister, Count Heinrich von Brühl, who rarely stayed in Oberlichtenau. After Saxony's defeat in the Seven Years' War, King Frederick II of Prussia, who detested Brühl, ordered the destruction of Brühl's possessions, including Oberlichtenau. A daughter of Brühl later arranged for the castle's reconstruction. Brühl's heirs sold the castle in 1774 to Count Andreas von Renard, who in turn sold it to Count Camillo Marcolini.