Colditz Castle

To make a day of it

Schloss Colditz stands in Colditz (Landkreis Leipzig), in Saxony, Germany. The building is a listed Baudenkmal. Adult admission costs 12 EUR. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

Standing on a porphyry outcrop above the Zwickauer Mulde, Colditz Castle overlooks the Saxon town that shares its name. The present building, largely raised in the early 16th century by Saxony's electoral princes, combines traces of a medieval Burgward with an extensive Renaissance residence arranged around several courtyards. It is best known for its role during the Second World War, when it held Allied officers repeatedly attempting escape, under the name Oflag IV-C: several tunnels dug by prisoners can still be seen. A museum now traces this long history, from princely court to prisoner-of-war camp.

Written from Colditz Castle

What to know

• The castle stands at Colditz, in the Landkreis Leipzig, Saxony.
• It is listed as a Kulturdenkmal in Saxony.
• Part of the former stable building now houses a youth hostel and the Saxon music academy.
• Escape tunnels dug by prisoners of war can be seen during a visit.
• A museum covers the castle's history, from its medieval origins to its use as a POW camp for Allied officers.

Practical information

Visit duration

Not verified

Wheelchair access

Not verified

Dogs

Not allowed

Parking

Not verified

Where this château is

Colditz · Landkreis Leipzig · Sachsen

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Colditz, Landkreis Leipzig

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

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Heritage status

Kulturdenkmal in Sachsen

Base map © IGN, Géoplateforme

In pictures

Frequently asked

Colditz Castle: how much is admission?

Adult admission is €12. Child: €4.50. Reduced: €10.

Can you visit Colditz Castle?

Yes, a museum on site tells the castle's history, from its medieval origins to its use as a prisoner-of-war camp during the Second World War.

Why is Colditz Castle famous?

During the Second World War it served as Oflag IV-C, a camp for Allied officers regarded as incorrigible escapers.

Are the escape tunnels visible?

Yes, some of the tunnels dug by prisoners of war can still be seen during a visit.

Where is Colditz Castle located?

In Colditz, in the Landkreis Leipzig, Saxony, on a rocky spur above the Zwickauer Mulde.

How old is Colditz Castle?

Most of the visible building dates from the early 16th century, built over the remains of an earlier medieval Burgward.

Sources

Identity, location and official references from Wikidata and the Land's heritage lists.

• This entry in Markdown
• Wikidata Q679115
• Official website

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