From a robber baron's nest to a festival of joy

Of the Drei Gleichen, Thuringia's famous trio of castles, Wachsenburg is considered to be the best preserved. In fact, unlike its nearby „sisters“, it actually looks less like a ruin and more like a real castle. The reason for this is the extensive renovation work carried out on the walls since the 1960s, as well as the subsequent operation by private owners from 2001 onwards, who have been working with Restaurant, conference rooms and guest rooms have created a well-rounded offer for visitors. Not every owner was so benevolent. Among the numerous lords of the castle, Apel Vitzthum probably left the most lasting mark on the legends surrounding the fortress, which was actually built for defensive purposes in 963. From 1441, he harassed as Robber baron Erfurt merchants on their trade routes and also made an inglorious name for himself throughout Thuringia as a fire chief before the castle fell into ruin during the Thirty Years' War. Fortunately, these times are over and Regular concerts, themed evenings, weddings (in a small chapel) and of course social gatherings with culinary delights determine today's castle operations in incomparable medieval atmosphere. 

Experience package:

1. on the Gustav Freytag hiking trail all Drei Gleichen can be easily hiked one after the other. It's worth the effort, because there is hardly anywhere else that offers such good views of Thuringia's flat core region as from the mountain cones of the legendary castle triumvirate.

2. as an alternative to the establishment at the castle, the Western restaurant „Lasso“ in the nearby Holzhausen at the table - one of the best steakhouses in the Free State, widely known for its Wild West atmosphere and variety of exotic delights. 

3. friends of Pyrotechnics and spectacular light shows should Drei(n)schlag® in August. That's when the night sky above the three colorfully illuminated castles lit up with thunderous fireworks - a dazzling celebration to commemorate a legendary, simultaneous lightning strike in all three walls!