Schweinsburg Castle

The origins of Schweinsburg Castle date back to the second half of the 12th century, when the town and castle of Crimmitschau emerged during the East German colonization. Although direct documentary evidence is lacking, mentions of neighboring places like Waldenburg (1165–72) and Meerane (1174) point to this period. An older Slavic settlement served as the foundation. The Lords of Crimmitschau, a noble free family, were first mentioned in 1212 as guarantors for Otto IV and held the dominion as an imperial fief, being among the leading families of the Pleißenland. The construction of the medieval moated castle, parts of which are still preserved today, is dated to the 13th century and was referred to as “vest huz cremascowe” in 1222. After the extinction of the Lords of Crimmitschau in the 13th century, the Schönburg family took over the dominion and established a collateral line.