Has anyone ever heard of a castle transforming into a pigsty? Well, that’s exactly what happened to Rittergutschloss Taucha. This isn’t your typical fairytale castle. Rittergutschloss Taucha sits on a small hill. It witnessed over 790 years of history. Originally built around 1220 as a symbol of Taucha’s independence, it was ordered by Archbishop Albert von Magdeburg. He also commissioned the town wall and St. Mauritius Church. The castle and town were rivals with Leipzig. The Margrave of Meissen destroyed the castle in 1282. It was rebuilt, only to face destruction and occupation again during various wars. It served as a hospital during the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, treating wounded from both sides. The castle tower was even used as a lookout point for French officers. The walls and tower were demolished around 1819. Rittergutschloss Taucha was then converted into a manor farm. After World War II, Rittergutschloss Taucha’s fate took a strange turn. It became part of the land redistribution program. It ended up housing a pig farm until 1990. Imagine, a castle filled with pigs! The city of Taucha regained ownership in 1995. The Schlossverein Taucha, founded in 2000, has worked tirelessly to restore the Rittergutschloss. They’ve transformed the grounds and established a museum in 2011. It details the history of the castle and estate. It’s the only Rittergutsmuseum (German Manor Museum) in Germany. The Schlossverein even hosts events like the Ancient Trance Festival and weddings. So, Rittergutschloss Taucha has seen it all. From sieges to pigs, from ruins to restoration. This place echoes with stories waiting to be rediscovered.
water tower Markkleeberg
From its perch overlooking Markkleeberg this water tower silently guards the town’s history. The Markkleeberg water tower stands tall a