In the Ore Mountains about 5 kilometers from Zschopau, lies the small village of Scharfenstein. High above the valley on a mountain spur towers the castle Scharfenstein.
Driving through the town, a large paid parking lot right on the banks of the Zschopau River catches your eye. We took the opportunity for a stopover to visit the castle.
Scharfenstein in the Ore Mountains
The village of Scharfenstein is first mentioned in a document in 1349, the castle and a nearby manor are reported later. Even today in the village you can find old houses along the valley road and on the northern flank of the castle hill, which used to be used by the servants of the castle.
The inhabitants of the town must have been doing quite well economically for a time. One of the largest spinning mills in Germany was located in the town around 1835 and provided work for many people. There was even a factory school, which was later converted into an elementary school. In 1915, the factory burned down. After that, the rebuilt building was used by an engineering company and an engine factory. In 1929, the latter produced engines for the Zwickauer Audi Werke.
The village of Scharfenstein has been a stop on the Zschopau Valley Railway since 1866.
Castle Scharfenstein
You can reach the castle from the parking lot on foot along two well-signposted paths. The ascent via the Karl-Stülpner-Weg is quite steep, but can be walked very pleasantly. We walked back the second way, which leads via Schloßberg and Hofgasse to Bahnhofsstraße. Through a beautiful renaissance portal you reach a stone bridge that leads over the moat. From there you enter the castle courtyard through the gatehouse.
A bit of castle history
It was probably the Lords of Waldenburg who had the castle of Scharfenstein built in 1250. In any case, they owned a lot of land, as well as some castles and villages in the region. And the castle Scharfenstein was in their possession for several years.
In the 15th century Greifenstein Castle was destroyed and Scharfenstein became the protective castle for Thum, Ehrenfriedersdorf and Geyer. This made the castle quite valuable and in 1439 the heavily indebted Lords of Waldenburg had to surrender the castle to the Elector.
Heinrich von Einsiedel bought the castle of Scharfenstein and some villages in the vicinity in 1492. The family owned the castle for many centuries and also lived there. In 1921 the residential wing and a part of the social wing burned down. According to old plans the reconstruction of the castle succeeded.
It was not until 1931 that the von Einsiedel family sold Scharfenstein Castle to the factory owner Eulitz. He had hundreds of nesting boxes hung on his forest property and set up a bird sanctuary in 1932. In cooperation with the Chemnitz Ornithological Society, the animals were ringed and scientific reports were compiled.
After the Second World War, the forest area became public property. The ornithological work was taken over by the museum at the nearby Augustusburg Castle.
The castle was first used as a school, later as a special children’s home for “difficult to educate” boys.
In 1993, the Saxon Palace Department took over Scharfenstein Castle, renovated it in accordance with the preservation order and converted it into a museum. Today you can visit the “Christmas and Toy Museum” and an exhibition of folk art. In the former castle garden there is now a medieval village. Events for families are held here on a regular basis.
Viewpoint keep of the castle Scharfenstein
We were drawn to the keep. If you have suitable change, you can insert your coins directly at the entrance to the tower and pass through the turnstile – or you can simply buy your ticket at the ticket office at the museum entrance.
The tower stands on a rock in the castle courtyard, is 17 meters high and you climb up to it via a few steps.
In the tower, a narrow well-worn stone spiral staircase awaited us and led us to the top. Through a small opening, you finally climb to a narrow tower walkway, which is used as a viewing platform.
Around us were forested hills, few houses and the river Zschopau wound through the valley. From up there you get a very good overview of the rather narrow river valley and can certainly look quite far in good visibility.
Castle Garden
After the beautiful panoramic view of the surroundings of Scharfenstein Castle, we were drawn to the castle garden and the castle circular walk.
From there you clearly have the best view of the castle. A large green area, framed by the remains of walls, invites you to take a short break. This area was a house and pleasure garden in the 18th century. An orangery once stood here, there was a herb garden and people grew soft fruits. Inside the wall there were two tower-like bastions, one of which has been reconstructed as a tea house.
Unfortunately, the circular walk was not completely passable, the paths were blocked. But even without the circular walk, the short stopover at Scharfenstein Castle in the Ore Mountains was a successful break.
Address:
Schloßberg 1
09430 Drebach
Opening hours:
April – October
Tuesday – Sunday : 10 – 17.30 h
Monday: closed (unless it is a holiday)
November – March
Tuesday-Sunday: 10 – 17 h
Monday closed (unless it is a holiday)
Opening hours Medieval Village:
see Website
Admission fees:
Tower: 1,- €
Castle Museum (incl. special exhibition)
Adults: 8,-€
Medieval Village (outdoor area)
Adults: 8,-€
Discounts are offered.
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