Herbsleben Castle

The origins of the complex date back to the 13th century, when a lowland castle was built around 1230. Between 1332 and 1340, Herpfersleuben Castle was first documented and served repeatedly as a residence for the Wettin dukes between 1394 and 1424. From 1485, it belonged to the Albertines. A transformation took place from 1555 to 1557 under master builder Nikolaus Gromann, who reinforced the Romanesque walls with an earthen rampart and moat. Further vaults were added shortly before 1600. A fire during the Thirty Years' War in 1627 damaged parts of the castle, which were subsequently rebuilt and provided with an arcaded walkway in the oval castle courtyard. After changing owners, including the families von Carlowitz and von Forstern, as well as various noble families, the castle was acquired by Oskar Becker in 1907 and housed a restaurant, confectionery, and a local history museum. The core castle was demolished in 1958 during the GDR era, resulting in the current ruin.