Three castles, connected by charming gardens full of roses - the former summer residence of the Grand Dukes of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach is enthroned high above the Saale. The Old Palace emerged from a medieval castle in the 16th century. Around 1740, the centrally located Rococo palace was built, a pleasure palace with apartments and two halls adapted to the terraced grounds. The Renaissance palace was purchased in 1824. Goethe lived here for a few weeks in the late summer of 1828 when he retired from Weimar after the death of Grand Duke Carl August. The gardens are the setting for the Dornburg Castle Night every year in August.