Lost in time, Schloss Kunnersdorf stands as a testament to centuries of history. Here in Kunnersdorf, nestled in the valley north of Görlitz, lie not one but two castles linked by a sprawling park. These are the Altes Schloss and the Neues Schloss.
The villages around here were founded in the 13th century by German settlers. The White Schöps river carved a valley, which is where Kunnersdorf sits. On a rise overlooking the stream, you will find the two restored manor houses. These are Schloss Kunnersdorf’s old and new castles.
Let’s talk about the Altes Schloss. Ownership changed hands many times over the centuries. One notable owner was Hans Frenzel, a merchant from Görlitz known as “the Rich.” Born in 1463, Frenzel expanded his uncle’s business. His marriage to Anna Tilicke in 1493 brought him a substantial inheritance. This included houses in Görlitz, goods and money. He also acquired several villages, including Kunnersdorf in 1505. Hans Frenzel died a wealthy man in 1526. His son Joachim Frenzel continued the business and received a title of nobility in 1544.
In 1640, Joachim von Schachmann acquired the estate. The Schachmanns, originally from Danzig, had married into the Frenzel family. They gained extensive lands in Lusatia as a result. They remained in possession of Kunnersdorf until 1772. After Johanna Eleonora von Gustedt died, the estate passed to Carl Victor August von Broitzem. Subsequent owners changed frequently.
Jean-Baptiste Baron de Nothomb bought the estate in 1851. The Belgian envoy gained the trust of the Prussian court in Berlin. He strengthened relations between Germany and Belgium. He held political and economic discussions at the Schloss with guests from across Europe. Baron de Nothomb also created the English landscape garden. It was inspired by the Fürst-Pückler-Park in Bad Muskau. The Altes Schloss served as the gardener’s house.
At the end of the 19th century, Prussian Councilor Hugo von Stockhausen took over the property. His daughters, Itta Freifrau von Wrangel and Elsa Freifrau von Eckartstein, followed. The land reform of 1945-46 led to the expropriation of the estate. The Schloss housed refugees from former German territories. From 1984, it served as the municipal administration. Today, the Neues Schloss houses a recycling company. The Altes Schloss is home to a dental practice. Dr. Agnes Niedzielski welcomes patients here.
The exact construction dates of both castles in Kunnersdorf remain unclear. The Altes Schloss, at the northern edge of the park, likely dates to the first half of the 18th century. Its design suggests this. Older building elements may still be hidden within the structure. The light, two-story building has a rectangular layout. It features a high mansard hipped roof. Pilasters subtly divide the Baroque seven-bay window facade. In the central axis, two arched niches frame the entrance. Baroque sculptures likely stood here.
A short distance to the south, the Neues Schloss faces the estate yard. The complex consists of a central section and two formerly symmetrical wings. In the 19th century, the owners needed more space. They raised the originally single-story right wing. This created an imbalance. A short flight of steps leads to the main entrance. Above it, a colorful double coat of arms may indicate when the Schloss was built. It refers to Joachim Philipp von Gustedt and his wife Johanna Eleonora von Schachmann. They married in 1740. Johanna Eleonora brought the Kunnersdorf and Mittelkönigshain estates into the marriage. A construction date around this time is likely. A curved gable, crowned by a stone vase, rises above the coat of arms. On the garden side, a triangular gable emphasizes the entrance. Two putti hold a coat-of-arms cartouche above it. A wide flight of steps leads from the great hall down to the park.
Both castles are well-restored. They are worth a visit. Today, the Saal in the Neues Schloss is used for family celebrations and can accommodate up to 70 people.