Wernigerode Castle

Wernigerode Castle was built between 1110 and 1120 over the already existing Wernigerode settlement. The first documentary mention as "Castrum Wernigerode" comes from the year 1213. To better defend the castle, the originally wooden palisades were replaced by stone walls from the 14th to the 16th century. A coherent defense system was built around the core castle, which was made up of various moats, ramparts, walls, gates and kennels and made the castle almost impregnable well into the 16th century. In contrast to other castles, it was not conquered by the rebels during the German Peasant War.

The simple and provincial baroque palace was no longer sufficient for Count Otto zu Stolberg-Wernigerode's growing need for representation, who as President of the Prussian mansion and as Vice Chancellor of the German Empire temporarily held very important political offices. Between 1862 and 1885 he had it converted into a spacious, representative palace by the master builder Carl Frühling. This is how the Wernigerode Castle got its current shape and became a leading building of North German historicism. Today the castle houses a much-visited museum and a branch of the Saxony-Anhalt Cultural Foundation.

Opening times: Usually every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Mondays in the winter months from November

Arrival: From the Schlossberg Hotel, it is only a few minutes' walk across the Schloßchausee to the castle. The gradient is up to 23%. So if you don't want to walk you can take the castle train from the old town and combine your trip to the castle with a city tour. Attention: There are no car parking spaces at the castle!

Address: Am Schloß 1, 38855 Wernigerode

Tip: For friends of classical music and the theater: The Wernigerode Castle Festival has been held every year since 1996 in August.