Schloss Ampfurth, Renaissance château in Oschersleben, Germany

Schloss Ampfurth is a Renaissance-style château in the village of Ampfurth, part of Oschersleben in Saxony-Anhalt. It was built between 1608 and 1615 on the site of an earlier castle. Its most visible feature is the octagonal staircase tower, which was raised to a height of 27 m and given an exterior staircase to reach the station room on the sixth floor. The north and west wings now contain apartments, and a former stable serves as an event room.

The site began as a round fortress in the 12th century and came under the control of the Archbishops of Magdeburg in 1257. The current Renaissance structure was built between 1608 and 1615, replacing the medieval fortifications.

The castle chapel still holds the tombs of the von der Asseburg family, who acquired the estate in 1483 and kept it until 1712, when the indebted Friedrich Aswin von der Asseburg sold it for 73,500 thalers. The north and west wings are now rented as flats, and a former stable serves local clubs as an event room.

Parts of the structure now serve as residential apartments, while a converted stable functions as an event venue for local groups. Access may be limited in certain areas due to private use, so check ahead before planning a visit.

From 1835 to 1849 the octagonal stair tower was station 16 of the Prussian optical telegraph line from Berlin to Koblenz. For this purpose it was raised to a height of 27 metres and given an outside staircase up to the station room on the sixth floor, which visitors could use as a viewing level.