Schloss Brandenstein, Manor house in Ranis, Germany.
Schloss Brandenstein is a castle on a sandstone hill in the Saale-Orla district of Thuringia, combining medieval and baroque building elements. The complex consists of several buildings with different floors, including a main house with living quarters and a tower that once served for defense.
The castle was founded in 1289 and passed to the Brandenstein lords in 1351 as a fief, who made it their family seat. Croatian troops heavily damaged the site during the Thirty Years War in 1634, after which it remained temporarily abandoned.
The name comes from the Brandenstein family, whose descendants lived here for centuries and shaped the building over time. Today the rooms hold objects that show how noble families lived in Thuringia, giving visitors a sense of daily life in past centuries.
Guided tours through the castle rooms take place regularly and offer a look into the different floors and areas. In the castle café in the basement, visitors can try vegetarian dishes and take a break before exploring the outdoor grounds.
After the attack by Croatian soldiers in 1634, the castle stood empty for a while and was called the deserted house. This name remained in regional documents and reminds us how war damage could make entire buildings uninhabitable.
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