Wachsenburg Castle

The first structures on the Wassenberg likely emerged around 930, initiated by the Imperial Abbey of Hersfeld to secure its possessions. Abbot Friedrich of Hersfeld resided in the castle from 1090 to 1098 and had it restored after feuds. Around 1100, the Veste passed to the Landgraves of Thuringia. Chronicler Ekkehard of Aura reported a siege of imperial knights by the Saxons in 1120. The first documentary mention occurred in 1140, referring to Knight Adelher von Wassenburg. By the late 12th century, the castle was drawn into the Staufer-Welfen conflicts and captured by Philip of Swabia in 1204. Subsequently, ownership changed frequently, including the Counts of Käfernburg and Orlamünde. Under Count Günther XII. of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg, it experienced its heyday from 1306. In 1366, Johann II. of Schwarzburg had to sell the castle; in 1369, it came into the possession of the Thuringian Landgraves. In 1441, it fell into the hands of the robber knight Apel Vitzthum the Elder, who was forced to surrender in 1451 after a four-week siege by Erfurt and other imperial cities, during which the shield wall collapsed. The damaged complex fell into disrepair. Duke Ernst the Pious acquired Wachsenburg in 1640 and had a deep well drilled in 1651. Plans for a reformatory and orphanage were not implemented.