High above the Thuringian countryside stand the Three Gleichen a majestic trio of castles. These aren’t just any castles. They’re steeped in history legend and a truly captivating past.
The Three Gleichen consist of Burg Gleichen Mühlburg and Wachsenburg. They’re perched on hilltops between Erfurt Gotha and Arnstadt. Each castle has its own unique story but together they represent a powerful symbol of Thuringian history. The name itself while known throughout Germany isn’t historically accurate. Only the castle near Wandersleben is truly called Burg Gleichen. The others have different names yet they are collectively known as the Three Gleichen.
Legend speaks of a bolt of lightning in 1230 igniting all three castles simultaneously. This tale highlights the deep connection people felt between these three strongholds. Think of it a shared destiny forged in the flames of myth.
The castles weren’t just symbols. They witnessed pivotal moments in German history. Burg Gleichen for instance was unsuccessfully besieged by Emperor Henry IV in 1088. Mühlburg even older dating back to at least 704 also faced Henry IV’s wrath in 1087. Wachsenburg built around 935 remained inhabited as late as 1911. It even housed a collection of weapons and paintings belonging to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Imagine the stories those walls could tell.
Each castle played a part in the medieval struggles between the Welfs and the Ghibellines. They experienced sieges betrayals and triumphs. Wachsenburg for example endured a particularly dramatic siege in 1451 by the citizens of Erfurt. Cannons were used to bombard the castle. Miners even dug a tunnel under its walls. The siege which lasted a month ended in the Erfurt victory.
The Three Gleichen also figure in fascinating legends. One tells of Count Ernest III a crusader. He was freed from captivity by a Turkish woman who became his wife. The Pope granted a dispensation allowing him to live with two wives. This tale while debated by historians exemplifies the romantic allure of the Three Gleichen.
The Three Gleichen are more than just stones and mortar. They are monuments to a rich past full of conflict heroism and enduring myths. Today they stand as reminders of a time when power ambition and legend intertwined in the heart of Thuringia. They stand as a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. They invite you to step back in time and experience the echoes of history.