Heldburg Castle

German Castle Museum

Heldburg Castle, also known as the “Franconian Lighthouse”, towers majestically in the south of Thuringia. Visible from afar, it towers over the landscape and tells of an eventful past. Once used as the strategic seat of the Counts of Henneberg, the castle later passed into the possession of the Dukes of Saxe-Meiningen. Today it is home to the German Castle Museum, which takes visitors on a fascinating journey through the development of castles and the lives of their inhabitants.

From a fortress to a magnificent castle

The origins of Heldburg Castle date back to the Middle Ages. It underwent significant transformations during the Renaissance: The magnificent French Building, designed by the Ernestine master builder Nickel Gromann, impresses with its ornate reliefs and characteristic spiral stone. The Jungfernbau with the castle chapel, whose murals are attributed to Lucas Cranach the Elder, still bears witness to the historical significance of the Veste today.

In the 19th century, Duke Georg II of Saxe-Meiningen discovered the castle for himself. With his third wife, whom he appointed Baroness of Heldburg, he created a retreat here, which was given a new character by neo-Gothic elements such as the Freifraukemenate and the imposing addition of the Hausmannsturm tower.

The German Castle Museum - experience history up close

Veste Heldburg has been home to the German Castle Museum since 2016. It illustrates the development of castles and their significance over the centuries. The museum offers fascinating insights into the lives of nobles, knights and servants as well as the architecture that shaped the various eras. Numerous interactive stations and exhibits bring history to life - and the castle itself is the most important exhibit.

A visit to Heldburg Castle combines impressive architecture, exciting history and breathtaking panoramas. Let yourself be whisked away to a time when castles were not just fortresses, but also an expression of power, culture and lifestyle.