Burg Weißenburg, Medieval castle in Uhlstädt-Kirchhasel, Germany

Burg Weißenburg is a stone castle on elevated ground with defensive walls and architectural features from the 13th century. The fortress maintains its original position on the slope, from which one can look out over the valley.

The castle is assumed to have been built around 1248, during a division of the Counts of Weimar-Orlamünde; the old dynastic seat is certainly a 13th-century complex. In 1344 it passed to Margrave Frederick II of Meissen, while Count Henry IV of Orlamünde retained a lifelong right of residence. In 1529 Frederick von Thüna had the old castle rebuilt into a comfortable residence, and his coat of arms stone above the gate commemorates this. A fire in 1792 destroyed large parts, and the reconstruction from 1796 gave the castle its present form.

The castle shows the building methods of medieval German fortifications and reflects the craftsmanship techniques of its time. Visitors can still clearly see this old craftsmanship in the stone walls and construction style today.

The castle is reachable via marked hiking trails from Uhlstädt-Kirchhasel, with parking available at the base of the site. Sturdy footwear is recommended, as access goes over a steep slope.

The sandstone cellars beneath the southwestern part of the castle, known as the Schleiflöcher, may date from the Orlamünde period. Legend holds that the last abbot of Saalfeld, Georgius von Thüna, died in 1527 sitting on his treasures in the deepest cellar after fleeing the Peasants' Revolt.