How old is the Brandenburg?

It is documented from the early 13th century, though finds show the hill was already occupied in the pre-Roman Iron Age.

Which families owned the Brandenburg over time?

Several noble families held parts of it in succession, including the lords of Heringen, of Herda and of Reckrodt, each controlling one of the two halves.

Why did the Brandenburg fall into ruin?

Having lost military importance, it was abandoned in the 16th and 17th centuries and quarried for stone until demolition was stopped in 1841.

Can the Brandenburg be visited today?

The site reopened to visitors in the late 1980s after being fenced off during the era of the inner German border, and remains accessible as an open-air ruin.

Burgruine Brandenburg

Gerstungen

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Where: Gerstungen

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Open within 20 km

Stadtschloss EisenachOpen to visitors11 km

Brandenburg (Lauchröden) stands in Gerstungen (Wartburgkreis), in Thuringia, Germany. The building is a listed Baudenkmal. Recorded dating: 12th century. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

The Brandenburg is a medieval double ruin overlooking the middle Werra valley, facing the Hessian village of Herleshausen, on the grounds of Lauchröden, a district of Gerstungen in Thuringia. The site actually comprises two separate strongholds, an eastern and a western one, built on the same ridge and held over the centuries by different noble families. The remains visible today, including a keep and a chamber building, are the result of restoration work carried out after German reunification. Archaeological finds show that the hilltop was already inhabited in the pre-Roman Iron Age.

What to know

The ruin is an open-air site, with no opening hours or admission fees listed here.
It stands on a hilltop above Lauchröden, so reaching it involves a walk uphill.
The area contains protected biotopes that developed during the decades the site was fenced off along the inner German border.
The visit suits those interested in medieval history and exposed ruins rather than a restored castle.
No details are given here on accessibility, parking or dogs.

Where this château is

Gerstungen · Wartburgkreis · Thüringen

Map of the area around Brandenburg (Lauchröden)

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Besucherparkplatz an der K 505 zwischen Lauchröden und, 99834 Gerstungen

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Château phone number

+49 36927 91735

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4.7 / 5from 854 Google reviews

Heritage status: Kulturdenkmal in Deutschland
Period of construction: 12th century

In pictures

Frequently asked

Is the Brandenburg one castle or two?: It is actually two separate strongholds, an eastern and a western one, built on the same ridge but held by different owners.
How old is the Brandenburg?: It is documented from the early 13th century, though finds show the hill was already occupied in the pre-Roman Iron Age.
Which families owned the Brandenburg over time?: Several noble families held parts of it in succession, including the lords of Heringen, of Herda and of Reckrodt, each controlling one of the two halves.
Why did the Brandenburg fall into ruin?: Having lost military importance, it was abandoned in the 16th and 17th centuries and quarried for stone until demolition was stopped in 1841.
Can the Brandenburg be visited today?: The site reopened to visitors in the late 1980s after being fenced off during the era of the inner German border, and remains accessible as an open-air ruin.