Schloss Tenneberg, Medieval castle in Waltershausen, Germany
Schloss Tenneberg is a fortress at the northern edge of the Thuringian Forest with a horseshoe-shaped floor plan and architectural elements spanning multiple centuries. The walls reveal how the building evolved from medieval times through the modern era.
The castle was first documented in 1176 as a residence for Thuringian landgraves. In 1640 it transformed into a hunting lodge for the Dukes of Saxe-Gotha.
The great hall displays ceiling paintings and works by court painter Johann Heinrich Ritter from the 1700s. The rooms tell the story of the princely residents and their art collections.
The castle is easily reached in Waltershausen and accessible from all sides, with plenty of room to explore the interior rooms and grounds. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since old staircases and floors can be uneven.
A legend connects the castle chapel to a dramatic journey when Friedrich the Brave brought his child there in 1380 to be baptized while fleeing a siege. This story adds a layer of personal history to one of the oldest structures on the grounds.
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