idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
In connection with the extension and further development of the Neuenburg Castle complex as part of the Special Investment Program (SIP) 1 of the federal government and the state of Saxony-Anhalt, the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt in close cooperation with the Neuenburg's owner, the cultural foundation Kulturstiftung Sachsen-Anhalt, is currently conducting archaeological investigations on the site of the nationally valuable cultural monument. The results so far have already provided completely new insights into the history of the area below the ‘Dicker Wilhelm’ (Fat William) keep, where numerous traces of dense settlement have been found.
Neuenburg Castle near Freyburg: a nationally valuable cultural monument with several centuries of architectural history
Rising impressively and picturesquely above Freyburg on the small river Unstrut (Burgenland district, Saxony-Anhalt), Neuenburg Castle is a cultural monument of national importance that can look back on many centuries of architectural history. The castle originated around 1090, when the legendary Thuringian Count Louis the Springer, also known as the founder of Wartburg Castle, founded a ‘novum castrum’ (‘new castle’) in a strategically advantageous location above the Unstrut river to secure his claim of power. During the first construction phase between 1090 and around 1150, a complex was built on the site of today's main castle, which was characterized by its extraordinary size and remarkable fortifications. These included a large round tower and two exclusive octagonal towers, possibly inspired by Byzantine models, which flanked a protective wall. The surprisingly well-preserved remains of one of these imposing towers, with walls still rising to a height of 2.20 meters, were documented in 2023 during archaeological investigations, which were part of preparations for future construction measures in the area of the main castle (press release by the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt dated 29 August 2023). Around 1180, representative residential buildings were built in this castle. In this time, the palas and the famous Romanesque double chapel with its high-quality architectural ornamentation were added, the latter of which makes Neuenburg Castle an outstanding monument on the Romanesque Road. In the centuries that followed, both the main castle and the outer bailey underwent constant building work and alterations, starting at the beginning of the 13th century under Landgrave Louis IV and his wife, Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia, and continuing into the 19th century.
Current archaeological excavations: preliminary results and pending questions
At present, the Neuenburg is also in the process of being modernized and further developed. The cultural foundation Kulturstiftung Sachsen-Anhalt, which owns the Neuenburg and is responsible for its development, is planning a new visitor information center and a redesign of the outdoor areas on the grounds of the outer bailey. Financed with funds from the federal government and the state of Saxony-Anhalt from the joint special investment program for selected castles and palaces of the cultural foundation, the main castle and outer bailey are to be developed holistically and in accordance with the heritage requirements as a place to experience Neuenburg Castle as a cultural tourist destination.
In preparation for the corresponding construction measures, the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt started archaeological investigations in the area of the outer bailey below the ‘Dicker Wilhelm’ keep on May 19, 2025. These excavations make it possible for the first time to examine this area on a large scale and gain insights into its history. From the 17th to the 20th century, it was used as an agricultural estate and was built with stables and barns, some of which were renovated several times. They were built on massive levelling layers, under which, as the current investigations show, a large number of significant traces of medieval buildings have been preserved. Before the levelling layers were brought in, the high medieval fortifications and buildings located here had been partially demolished. Only the ‘Dicker Wilhelm’ keep still bears impressive witness to the existence of these fortifications, and a few remains of Romanesque structures have been preserved in the former ‘long barn’ of the modern estate. This fortification also included a rectangular tower, the remains of which were located during preliminary archaeological investigations in 2023. It is possibly connected to a gateway in front of it.
The current investigations in the area of the former ‘long barn’ provide access to previously unknown structures below the ‘Dicker Wilhelm’ keep. Even at this early stage, it is becoming apparent that new information and dating bases for the reconstruction of the building history and facilities of this area and the interpretation of the outer bailey can be expected from the results. It became visible that the section ditch to the east of the castle, which is still visible in places in the terrain, not only partially cut into the ridge of the spur, but also ran further to the north and extended below the site of the former ‘long barn’. It is possible that it cut through the ridge completely, thus separating the areas of the castle and the ‘Dicker Wilhelm’ from each other and making them separately defensible.
Within the extremely dense structures found at the foot of the ‘Dicker Wilhelm’ keep, a residential building on a vaulted cellar with a comfortable heating system including the remains of a tiled stove stands out. The palas of the main castle was also equipped with a hot-air heating system as early as 1180. The building that has now been discovered was built on the site of a previous occupation, from which not only a pit complex but also a massive floor has been preserved. The preserved remains suggest a high-quality and representative building. As there is as yet no evidence for their absolute date, this must be considered uncertain for the time being.
Until the results of scientific dating analyses are available, it is therefore not possible to clarify whether this is a residential building of the burgraves from the construction period of the ‘Dicker Wilhelm’ or even the remains of an older complex from the last quarter of the 11th century. In addition to providing insights into the role and use of this castle area, the excavation findings and forthcoming scientific dating also offer the prospect of information on the historical role and social connection of this castle area.
Guided tours on Open Monument Day
The archaeological excavations in the outer bailey of Neuenburg Castle will continue into the coming year. On the occasion of this year's Tag des offenen Denkmals (Open Monument Day) on Sunday, September 14, 2025, the cultural foundation Kulturstiftung Sachsen-Anhalt and State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt are offering joint guided tours of the ongoing investigations. The tours will take place at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. Participation is free of charge and possible without registration. Solid shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather are required. Visitors enter the excavation site at their own risk.
Beautifully shaped and dynamic: a toy horse from the 14th century, a typical find from a castle cont ...
Quelle: Holger Grönwald
Copyright: State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt
View over the excavation area on the outer bailey of Neuenburg Castle with uncovered remains of medi ...
Quelle: Holger Grönwald
Copyright: State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt
Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:
Journalisten, Studierende, Wissenschaftler, jedermann
Geschichte / Archäologie
überregional
Forschungsprojekte
Englisch
Sie können Suchbegriffe mit und, oder und / oder nicht verknüpfen, z. B. Philo nicht logie.
Verknüpfungen können Sie mit Klammern voneinander trennen, z. B. (Philo nicht logie) oder (Psycho und logie).
Zusammenhängende Worte werden als Wortgruppe gesucht, wenn Sie sie in Anführungsstriche setzen, z. B. „Bundesrepublik Deutschland“.
Die Erweiterte Suche können Sie auch nutzen, ohne Suchbegriffe einzugeben. Sie orientiert sich dann an den Kriterien, die Sie ausgewählt haben (z. B. nach dem Land oder dem Sachgebiet).
Haben Sie in einer Kategorie kein Kriterium ausgewählt, wird die gesamte Kategorie durchsucht (z.B. alle Sachgebiete oder alle Länder).
