The Castles of Dornburg
Dornburg is a small medieval town built on
a steep rock of shelly limestone
90 metres above the river Saale. The place is well -
known for its three castles, the Old castle, the
Rococo and the Renaissance castle.
The Old castle is the one most closely connected with the history of
Dornburg. First mentioned in a document by Emperor Otto 1, dated 937.
The castle served the Ottons as a palace and was frequently the object of
dynastical altercations. At the end oft the 10th century several Imperial Diets
were held here. The castle got its present shape essentially in the 15th century.
Today, after a complex reorganization and restoration by the donation Thueringer of castles and gardens, is used the castle of the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena as conference center.
The Rokoko castle,
the most recent of the three, was erected on behalf of
Duke Ernst August of Saxony - Weimar - Eisenach and was completed
in 1747 after 11 years of construction. His great-great-grandson, Grand Duke
Carl Alexander (1818-1901), often stayed in Dornburg and celebrated his birthday
in the castle in the presence of several princely persons. The veterans' associatien,
the marksmen and all parishioners passed through the palace gardens playing music
and swinging banners, paying their birthay homage to the visibly delighted sovereign.
Every year, on the last weekend in June, the Dornburg children's
and rose festival takes place commemorating the Duke's birthday.
The Rococo castle or the „new castle“, as Goethe called it, was
conceived as a hunting and plesure seat. It is one of the most
significant baroque buildings of Central Germany and offers,
besides its historical furniture, a remarkable collection.of porcelain.
The Renaissance castle
„ Enter with joy and withdraw cheerfully! If you pass as a traveller,
may God bless your way “
This saying above the castle - entrance, translated by Goethe, bids the
visitors welcome. The castle itself was built in 1540 as a manor.
Grand Duke Carl August of Saxony - Weimar - Eisenach bought
the estate in 1824 and rebuilt it according to his requirements. Goethe,
a friend of the duke, last spent a summer here 1828. Unfortunately the
rooms Goethe stayed in are no longer in their original state.
Our restaurant and guesthouse „ Schlossberg" is situated directly at the entrance to the magnificent park grounds of the Dornburg castles. And if you decide to stay on in Dornburg stay with us! All our rooms are equipped with a shower, WC ,TV and telephone.
