Schloss Tenneberg, Medieval castle in Waltershausen, Germany
Schloss Tenneberg is a castle on the northern edge of the Thuringian Forest in Waltershausen, built on a horseshoe-shaped floor plan. Its walls and interior rooms show building phases that range from the medieval period to the Baroque era.
The castle was first recorded in 1176 as a seat of the Thuringian landgraves. In 1640 the Dukes of Saxe-Gotha converted it into a hunting residence, which largely shaped its appearance today.
The ceiling paintings in the great hall were made by court painter Johann Heinrich Ritter in the early 18th century and show scenes from ducal court life. Walking through these rooms gives a direct sense of how a Thuringian princely residence looked during the Baroque period.
The castle sits in the center of Waltershausen and is easy to reach on foot. Some staircases and floors inside are uneven, so sturdy footwear makes the visit more comfortable.
The castle chapel is said to be connected to a story from 1380, when Friedrich the Brave had his child baptized there while fleeing a siege. This makes the chapel one of the most personal corners of a building that is otherwise known for its official and ceremonial rooms.
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