Burgruine Tharandt

Tharandt, Germany, Germany

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Burgruine Tharandt is the medieval ruin of a castle overlooking the town of Tharandt in Saxony, Germany, built in the early 13th century by Margrave Dietrich of Meissen to defend against the powerful counts of Dohna, who acted as robber barons in the border region.

It burned down in 1224 during a military campaign but was rebuilt between 1240 and 1256, later fortified into one of the strongest fortresses in the land by the late 14th century, and used as a secure storehouse for valuables during the Hussite invasion of 1429.

After losing its defensive role following the Dohna Feud (1385-1402), it housed Duchess Sidonie until 1510, then fell into disuse, was dismantled in 1568 after a lightning strike and fire, and partly repurposed for the nearby Bergkirche built in 1626-1629, leaving today only walls, arches, and cellars with panoramic views.