Between Erfurt and Ohrdruf, Arnstadt and Gotha, an impressive group of castles attracts attention: Mühlburg, Wachsenburg and Gleichen Castle - commonly known as the "Three equals" probably Thuringia's most famous castle ensemble.

There are various traditions about the origin of the name. It is considered probable that Gliche" Castlethe third in the alliance and so called since 1034 due to the noble family of Gleichen residing here. The striking Same height of the walls and their roughly equal distance from each other were certainly not detrimental to the naming. According to legend, even the Lightning struck all three castles at the same time in 1230 and infected them, which was remembered through the following song:

"But you look too proudly after the Hommel
Heaven began a battle with you,
Wildly, the weather drew together,
You glow in the flames at the same time,
Three terrible torches of the night."

This event is celebrated every year at the so-called Drei(n)schlag® thought.