Wolkenburg Castle is located on a mountain spur in an open river arch west of the Zwickau basin. The village of Wolkenburg/Mulde is located southwest of the castle on the other side of the Zwickau basin. Mauritiuskirche.
Schloss Wolkengurg History
The castle originates from a castle complex built in the late twelfth century. Over the centuries, it has been gradually transformed into a representative seat of power.
Wolkenburg Castle looks like it did when it was renovated around 1800, mainly by Detlev Carl Graf von Einsiedel. Only the palace of the widows, not renovated, which borders the courtyard of the castle to the west, is a building of the second half of the nineteenth century. However, the history of the complex dates back to the Middle Ages and began as a castle on a ford of the Zwickauer Mulde in the late twelfth century. The name comes from the first owners, the von Wolkenburg family, imperial ministers in the service of the Wettin dynasty.
In the 15th century, the castle was bequeathed to the von Kaufungen family as a fief. After the robbery of the Saxon prince and the execution of Kunz von Kaufungen in 1455, the castle initially became the property of the Saxon electors. In 1635, Heinrich Hildebrand von Einsiedel became the new owner. Under the von Einsiedel family, the castle was transformed into a palace around 1700. The center of the complex was now the three-storey residential building, surrounded by agricultural buildings. Around the castle was set up a Renaissance garden. The terraces were carved into the rocks that descend steeply towards the basin.
After 1945, the von Einsiedel family was expropriated as part of the land reform and had to leave Wolkenburg. During the GDR era, the castle was mainly used for residential purposes. Sometimes, however, it was also used as a school and the school kitchen was located in the castle. Only after 1990 the castle, sometimes very dilapidated, was again recognized as a historical monument. It was reopened to the public for the first time in 1995 after thorough renovation and revitalization of the complex. Since 2000, the town of Limbach-Oberfrohna has owned the castle following the incorporation of Wolkenburg-Kaufungen.
Worth a visit are the banqueting hall, the period rooms renovated in classic style and a unique jewel: the restored neo-Gothic library. The Fritz-von-Uhde Cabinet recalls the important artist born at the castle in 1848. A gallery of ancestors with valuable portraits recalls the ancient lords of Wolkenburg Castle and its heyday: the castle was owned by the von Einsiedel family from 1627 to 1945.
The unique collection of sculptures by Lauchhammer Eisenkunstguss represents a special chapter in the history of the castle. They can be discovered both inside the castle and in the park.
Wolkenburg Castle is managed by the large municipality of Limbach-Oberfrohna. In addition to the museum, in the courtyard of the castle regularly take place events: Markets, concerts and theater. The historic banquet hall is very popular for weddings. Please note the opening hours when planning your visit.