Lower Castle Greiz

The Lower Castle is one of the sights of the Thuringian city of Greiz.

The Lower Castle is located directly on the banks of the White Elster next to the city church of St. Marien and thus only a few steps from the city center.

For centuries, the Lower Castle was the residence of the Princely House of Reuss. It was built in the 16th century by Heinrich the Elder.

After the devastating city fire of April 6, 1802, reconstruction in the classical style took place until 1809. The former ballroom - today the White Hall - with its valuable stucco work, is a showpiece. In 1884/1885, the south wing with a winter garden, representative rooms such as the Blue Salon, and the tower with an onion dome were added as an extension.

A special feature is the fact that even after the end of the monarchy in Germany, a former member of the ruling princely family still lived in the Lower Castle: Heinrich XXIV, who suffered from an incurable brain injury as a result of an accident and was thus unable to govern, had the right to reside here until his death in 1927.

Two years later, the local history museum opened its doors on the bel étage of the castle.