Today, no one hesitates to include Ohrdruf's Ehrenstein Castle in the ranks of the most beautiful renaissance castles The ornamental gables, oriels and archways designed in the Italian style are too captivating, and its magnificent façade towards the visitor. However, fate has not always been kind to the two-storey, four-winged building, which suffered many changes of ownership and use after its construction between 1550 and 1590, as well as severe structural damage. Saved from decay by extensive renovation work after 1990, large parts of the building and valuable collections were almost completely destroyed by a devastating fire on 26.11.2013 - just before the final phase of renovation was completed. But the disaster also brought astonishing things to light: in the south wing, a Renaissance hall that had been blocked up until then, as well as Original Renaissance paintings discovered on the castle façade.

The reconstruction after the fire can confidently be described as the Rise of the phoenix from the ashes After the reopening on 08.06.2022, the castle will shine in new opulence - even better, it is now the hub of Ohrdruf's tourist attractions. In addition to the modern Tourist Information and Library it contains four exhibition areasA Kubus Magicus, designed as a multimedia presentation, provides inspiring information about the history of the town and castle. Another area provides information about the town's industrial and toy history, while Johann Sebastian Bach - who has deep roots in Ohrdruf - has his own presentation. Finally, in the castle's GeoZentrum, the permanent exhibition "When dinosaurs swam through Ohrdruf - the fantastic journey into the shell limestone sea" a project of the UNESCO Global GeoPark Thuringia Inselsberg - Drei Gleichen.

Experience package:

• Ohrdruf Castle & Park offer great event highlights throughout the year, for example for gardening or antique enthusiasts, which can be combined with a visit to Ehrenstein Castle.

• Tasty Thuringian food is available in the "Saxon Court", Ohrdruf's first house on the square, which has also been offering vacation apartments and rooms since 2016. Alternatively, the "Casa Maria" to delicious pizza and pasta.