Schloss Harzgerode

The 13th century Harzgerode Castle stands on the north-western edge of the historic old town of Harzgerode and once functioned as a residence for the nobles of an Anhalt-Bernburg-Harzgerode collateral line. The castle was first mentioned in a document in 1384 as a stronghold of the Anhalt princes. From 1398 to 1535, the Counts of Stolberg were feudatories here and Harzgerode became the administrative centre of the Anhalt princes.

Prince Georg III of Anhalt had the castle remodelled from 1549 to 1552. Even today, several street names in Harzgerode recall the period between 1635 and 1709 when the castle served as the residence of the Harzgerode princes of Anhalt. Examples include the Wilhelmshof forester's lodge and Augustenstrasse.

A visit to the castle is worthwhile

The parquet flooring in the banqueting hall alone is made of 18 different types of wood. Incidentally, the "Black Kitchen" is an interesting witness to the castle's earlier building history. Today's museum includes exhibits on the Mägdesprung ironworks and sculptures and bronze sculptures by the sculptor Wilhelm Otto. The castle building also houses a library and the town information office. The castle cellar has plenty to offer hungry guests in the way of culinary delights. Public events are also held there from time to time.

Down there, as on the ground floor, the ceiling is spanned by two large barrel vaults. In contrast, the first floor consists of a hall with two naves, which corresponds to the entire width of the house.

Interesting facts about Harzgerode Castle

A beautiful wall painting with floral and figurative motifs from 1660 has been preserved in a window niche on the first floor. Some of the original floors and beamed ceilings have also been preserved. In the gabled room to the north, there is still a fireplace made of ashlar. Above the rectangular chimney opening we find the date 1566. On the south side there was originally another wing of the building. However, apart from a few remains of the outer wall, this was demolished in 1775. The courtyard is bordered by a wall of blind arches with covered battlements and in the north-western area there is a stone round tower.

The official register states that around 1563 there was a lack of rooms to accommodate the entire princely court store. Consequently, the master builder Pietro Neuroni built the west wing immediately behind the western boundary wall.

Decorated with dwarf houses and ornamental gables, the palace now met the contemporary requirements for a sovereign seat. In front of the palace to the south was a large forecourt, and a little further to the north was an extensive pleasure garden with an orangery.

During the Seven Years' War (1756 - 1763), coins were even minted in Harzgerode Castle. In the 1930s it was used as a labour service barracks, and after the Second World War as accommodation for displaced persons. From around 1981 onwards, the facilities were thoroughly renovated. It was not until early 2017 that the work on the west wing was largely completed.

Today, the castle is owned by the town of Harzgerode and is listed in the local monument register under the registration number 094 50065. Even the old lime tree just to the left of the portal has the registration number 0047QLB and is considered a natural monument.