The extensive listed complex on the northern edge of the Thuringian Basin consists of the Renaissance castle building and surrounding farm buildings from the 19th century. The core castle is a regular three-winged complex on an almost square base around an inner courtyard, the fourth side of which is closed by a defensive wall with a central round tower and wooden gallery. The castle gets its characteristic appearance from the large number of gables lined up next to each other.

The castle was built in 1562-65 by Georg II Vitzthum von Eckstädt, marshal to Duke Moritz I of Saxony, to replace a previous medieval building. The building fabric from the 16th century has been largely preserved and gives a very authentic impression. The castle has been undergoing conservation restoration since 2008 and the interior still features paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries. Since 2007, the castle has been home to the Künstlerhaus Thüringen e.V. with studios and rehearsal and event rooms. Public concerts, theater, exhibitions and rehearsals take place from April to October. The Renaissance garden was completed in 2020. Its design was inspired by the oldest known European garden architecture book, which was dedicated to the builder of Kannawurf Castle. In its form and choice of plants, it illustrates the Central German garden art of the 16th century.