What is the Slawenburg Raddusch?

It is a reconstruction, accurate in outward form, of a 9th to 10th century Slavic refuge fortress, built on its original archaeological site.

Is the Slawenburg Raddusch an original historic building?

No, the visible structure dates from 1999-2003; the original earth-and-timber Slavic rampart disappeared long ago.

Why was the site excavated so thoroughly?

Because an open-cast lignite mine threatened to destroy it; archaeologists investigated it fully between 1984 and 1990 before mining stopped just short of the spot.

Where is the Slawenburg Raddusch located?

Near the village of Raddusch, within the municipality of Vetschau/Spreewald, Landkreis Oberspreewald-Lausitz, in Brandenburg.

Are the excavation finds on display at the site?

The available facts do not confirm this; major finds such as the wooden idol are documented in archaeological literature without stated current location.

Slawenburg Raddusch

Vetschau/Spreewald

Visit

Hours to be confirmed

Book a visit

You are leaving for the château’s own website

Where: Vetschau/Spreewald

Hours and prices not verified at the source yet.Check on the official website

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Slawenburg Raddusch stands in Vetschau/Spreewald (Landkreis Oberspreewald-Lausitz), in Brandenburg, Germany. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

The Slawenburg Raddusch is a reconstruction, faithful in its outward appearance, of an early medieval Slavic refuge fortress, built between 1999 and 2003 on the exact site of a former circular earth-and-timber rampart. The original stronghold, raised around 880 by the Lusizi and rebuilt several times before being abandoned after the Saxon conquest of 963, was fully excavated ahead of a planned open-cast lignite mine. Archaeologists found wells, tools and a rare wooden idol, the 'Götze von Raddusch', now kept elsewhere. Visitors come here to see, at full scale, what one of these Lower Lusatian Slavic strongholds once looked like.

What to know

What can be seen today is a reconstruction from 1999 to 2003, not an original structure still standing.
The site lies near the village of Raddusch, part of the municipality of Vetschau/Spreewald, in the Landkreis Oberspreewald-Lausitz in Brandenburg.
The rebuild follows a rescue excavation carried out between 1984 and 1990, ahead of a lignite mine that in the end did not reach this exact spot.
Finds from the excavation, including the wooden idol, are not displayed at the site itself.
No verified details on opening hours, fees or access are available here, so it is worth checking locally before visiting.

Where this château is

Vetschau/Spreewald · Landkreis Oberspreewald-Lausitz · Brandenburg

Map of the area around Slawenburg Raddusch

Loading the map…

This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Vetschau/Spreewald, Landkreis Oberspreewald-Lausitz

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

Get directions View on a map

Heritage status: Protection status unknown

In pictures

Frequently asked

What is the Slawenburg Raddusch?: It is a reconstruction, accurate in outward form, of a 9th to 10th century Slavic refuge fortress, built on its original archaeological site.
Is the Slawenburg Raddusch an original historic building?: No, the visible structure dates from 1999-2003; the original earth-and-timber Slavic rampart disappeared long ago.
Why was the site excavated so thoroughly?: Because an open-cast lignite mine threatened to destroy it; archaeologists investigated it fully between 1984 and 1990 before mining stopped just short of the spot.
Where is the Slawenburg Raddusch located?: Near the village of Raddusch, within the municipality of Vetschau/Spreewald, Landkreis Oberspreewald-Lausitz, in Brandenburg.
Are the excavation finds on display at the site?: The available facts do not confirm this; major finds such as the wooden idol are documented in archaeological literature without stated current location.