Castle Thorun

Castle Thorun is a castle ruin located on a strategic hilltop called Burgwartsberg near Dresden. The stone foundations that remain reveal how the medieval structure was positioned to survey the Weißeritz valley and surrounding lands below.

A local nobleman called Heinrich II von Dohna built this castle in 1206, which sparked a territorial dispute with the Bishop of Meißen. The conflict required intervention from Margrave Dietrich to reach a settlement.

The founding document of this castle provided the first written record of Dresden and several districts of Freital. This paperwork shaped how these places were recognized and remembered in the region's early history.

A marked hiking path leads to the ruins and an information board that explains the medieval structure. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the ground is hilly and can be uneven in places.

The name Thorun may have come from a Crusade that the castle's builder participated in during 1197 to the Holy Land. This connection to the medieval world of Crusaders adds an unexpected link to far-away events.

Location: Freital

GPS coordinates: 51.01860,13.65110

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:21