Schloss Blankenburg

Are you one of those people who are always fascinated by old castles? Then you should visit Blankenburg Castle on a trip through the beautiful low mountain range of the Harz. The baroque castle complex, the largest Guelph castle still standing, rises majestically south of Blankenburg on the 305-metre-high Kalkberg Blankenstein. At the foot of the castle stretches the picturesque old town, whose houses nestle close to the castle hill. Both are still partly surrounded by the listed Blankenburg town fortifications with their mighty walls. In the town, Blankenburg Castle is also known as the Great Castle, as a distinction from the so-called Small Castle, the former princely garden house. The enchanting castle complex is regarded as the town's landmark and is much loved by the people. This is reflected in the fact that the citizens founded the association Rettung Schloss Blankenburg in 2005. This association has dedicated itself to the loving preservation of the castle complex - and has been so successful that it was awarded the German Prize for Monument Protection in 2014.

Blankenburg Castle - a long and rich history

What is it that makes old castles so fascinating? Perhaps it is the knowledge that people have lived, breathed, loved or argued between these historic walls. A castle is not just dead stone, it tells the story of its inhabitants from previous centuries. Yes, and then of course the powerful architecture inspires us today, because medieval architecture had to do without heavy equipment and construction machinery. The foundations of the castle complex were laid as early as the beginning of the 12th century. In the course of its eventful history, it was extended or rebuilt several times, parts fell victim to fire or were looted. In the 18th century, the conversion phase from a Renaissance building to a Baroque residence began. At that time it was given the appearance of a representative palace, which you can still admire today. The building was the seat of the dukes of Brunswick until 1945. In GDR times it was used for a time as an administrative and school building, until after the fall of communism it began to decay - which fortunately was resolutely counteracted by the association Rettung Schloss Blankenburg.

A fairytale castle in the middle of a picturesque landscape

You reach the beautiful little town of Blankenburg, which bears the title of state-recognised health resort, in the district of Harz in Saxony-Anhalt. The ensemble of old town, fortification wall and castle is so idyllic that it is often used as a film set. Take your time and enjoy strolling through the wonderful old alleys. Here, beautiful shops, cafés and restaurants invite you to browse and stop for a bite to eat. A special highlight are the baroque gardens of the castle park, which consist of many different, partly terraced grounds. In addition to old churches and historic buildings, the town is also attractive because of its location in the midst of beautiful nature. This entices you to take long walks and discover magnificent vantage points. A tour to the nearby Großvater-Felsen (Grandfather Rock), from where you have a great view of the town and Blankenburg Castle, is particularly appealing.

Great experiences at Blankenburg Castle

The building complex of Blankenburg Castle is arranged around an inner courtyard, which can be visited at any time during opening hours. You should definitely take part in an interesting guided tour of the interior. You will be amazed by the splendour of the representative halls, even if some of them have faded. Marvel at the castle chapel with its high cross vault, the Emperor's Hall with its stucco work and murals or the imposing Knights' Hall. The complex is the venue for many cultural events such as concerts, exhibitions, historical lectures and readings. The Rock and Pop Night takes place in September, the Castle Christmas in Advent and the traditional New Year's Eve concert shortly afterwards. Are you looking for a stylish ambience for your wedding? Blankenburg Castle, with its adjoining registry office in the Grey Hall, also offers the perfect setting. Last but not least, the splendid restored theatre hall of the castle serves as a stage for plays.