The Mühlberger Castle – History, Change and Significance of a Lusatian Landmark
Lusatian history – The impressive >>Muehlberg Castle<< rises as a distinctive landmark in the city of Mühlberg in the Lausitz and shows an eventful and multi-layered history. The origins of this historic building go back far back to the 8th or 9th century, when a Sorbian defense was first built on the same site. This early fortification served to protect the settlement and reflects theBeginnings of settlement in the Mühlberg area. In the course of the 12th century, a representative moated castle was built on the site of the old Sorbian complex, which henceforth characterized the cityscape. The castle is already mentioned in documents from 1272 as a moated castle with a stone tower and various residential and commercial buildings. The square floor plan, the mighty ramparts andThe water-filled trenches testify to the defensive strategies of the Middle Ages and the importance of the place as a regional center of power.
Destruction, Rebuilding and Renaissance Architecture
A fire in 1535 with a serious fire put an abrupt end to the medieval moated castle and destroyed large parts of the complex. After the devastating city fire of 1545, a magnificent Renaissance castle was built on the old foundations, which was rebuilt as a commercial and hunting lodge under Duke Moritz. The construction work lasted a few years until finally under the ElectorAugust the castle received its current form as an impressive four-winged building with a late Gothic castle chapel. Particularly noteworthy are the simple, yet elegant Renaissance-style gables that adorn the building. An artful sundial above the gate to the castle courtyard gives the ensemble an additional, historical charm. Access to the castle today leadsover a paved path, in the place of which a drawbridge was once located. A distinctive wooden gate forms the entrance to the spacious castle courtyard and is reminiscent of times gone by.
The castle in the ages: use and structural changes
At the beginning of the 19th century, the appearance of the castle changed fundamentally again. The water-bearing trenches were drained, which made the defense concept lost its former function and the castle entered a new era. In the following decades, the building was subject to numerous changes in use and structural adjustments. In addition to severalThe castle housed apartments, among other things, the district court, a prison and, from 1859, the main customs office, which underlines the versatility of the building. In the 19th century, the facade and the building parts of the castle were fundamentally revised: the two- and three-storey wings were plastered simply and without adornment, with the building originally divided into the building.pilasters have been removed. The characteristic dwarf houses that once adorned the steep gable roofs were largely removed. Only the central pygmy house on the south facade, which towers directly above the main gate, was preserved as a relic of past architecture.
Architectural features and new uses in the 20th century
A particularly striking element of the castle is the octagonal turret, which has risen from the dorm house since 1773. Provided with an elegant bell hood and covered with slate, it has a significant impact on the external appearance of the building. The historic castle chapel, which was once independent, was integrated into the east wing, with its apse during the 15th and 16th centuries.century was increased to a striking tower. In the north-east corner of the courtyard, a polygonal stair tower stands, which is considered a further characteristic detail of the complex. In recent times, the castle’s premises have also been used for various urban purposes: There were school rooms here, a youth club, the city library and later that tooCity archive place. These diverse uses underline the importance of the castle as a cultural and social center of the city.
The Mühlberger Castle today: conservation, privatization and future
Even today, the Mühlberg Castle is an impressive testimony to the history and architecture of the region. The traditional building now houses several apartments and, with its historical ambience, forms a popular place to go for visitors and locals. In 1999, the castle was finally privatized – albeit under the strict condition of allRenovation and conversion work to be carried out sensitively and in accordance with the monument. This ensured the preservation and careful maintenance of this unique cultural monument for the future. The successful combination of past and present makes the Mühlberg Castle a fascinating place that makes the eventful history of Lusatia vividly tangible and as a living symbolurban identity and regional self-confidence.
