Castell Thorun

Castell Thorun. A name shrouded in mystery, a whisper from the past. It’s 1206. Imagine a clandestine operation unfolding under the cover of darkness. Burggraf Heinrich II von Dohna, driven by ambition, secretly constructs a fortress on Burgwartsberg. This is Castell Thorun. A bold move, but a precarious one. The land belonged to the Bishop of Meissen. A bitter feud erupted between the bishop and the burggraf. The conflict escalated, threatening to tear the region apart. Even the Pope intervened. Finally, both sides turned to Margrave Dietrich of Meissen for arbitration. The margrave’s verdict, delivered right here in Dresden on March 31, 1206, involved a staggering 77 individuals. The document detailing this decision, a pivotal piece of history, mentions 52 witnesses. Among them, 18 clergymen. Local figures like Berthold and Dietrich von Potschappel, Reinhold von Grimma and his brother Hugo, Arnold von Döhlen, Burchard von Kaitz, Hermann von Wurgwitz, Hildebrand von Gompitz, and Johann von Plauen were also involved. This document, now preserved in the Dresden State Archives, marks the first documented mention of not only Castell Thorun but also Dresden itself and many surrounding towns. Think about that. This unassuming hill holds the key to the origins of this vibrant city. Today, a simple stele stands on Burgwartsberg. It commemorates this pivotal event. A nearby information board details the historical context of Castell Thorun. A silent testament to the power struggles and ambitions that shaped this region.