Weißenburg Castle

The origins of Weißenburg date back to the 13th century, probably around 1248, in the context of a division of the Weimar-Orlamünde comital house. In 1344, the complex came into the possession of Margrave Friedrich II of Meissen, with Count Heinrich IV of Orlamünde retaining lifelong residency rights. The original castle complex was a fortified structure with five towers, protected by steep slopes, ramparts, moats, and walls. In the 15th century, ownership changed frequently, including the Lords of Entzenberg and von Kochberg. In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, Friedrich von Thüna, an advisor to Saxon electors, acquired the castle. He accompanied Martin Luther to the Diet of Worms and had the castle converted into a habitable residence in 1529. During the Peasants' War in 1525, the last abbot of Saalfeld Monastery found refuge here. After more than 150 years in Thüna possession, the castle passed to the Lords of Lengefeld in 1707, who, however, had to sell it in 1761 due to debts. In July 1777, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited Weißenburg several times.