Old Castle Penzlin

Penzlin, Germany, Germany

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The Old Castle in Penzlin, Germany, dates back to the 13th century and is renowned for its historical significance and well-preserved architecture.

It once served as the second residence of the Prince of Werle and became the seat of the Maltzan family from the early 16th century. A unique and notable feature of the castle is its witch dungeon, built around 1560, where accused witches were imprisoned during one of the darkest periods of witch hunts in Mecklenburg, a region known for numerous witch trials.

The castle includes a knight's hall with a painted ceiling and a medieval kitchen with a 12-meter-high chimney. After falling into disrepair during the Thirty Years' War, the castle was no longer inhabited by the 18th century. Since major renovations from 1991 to 1997, the Old Castle houses a museum dedicated to the history of witch hunts and magic in Mecklenburg, offering visitors a vivid insight into this grim chapter with guided tours of the torture chambers and historic dungeons.

The site also features a courtyard with herb gardens and a museum restaurant, making it a significant cultural and historical landmark in the region. The imposing St. Mary's Church nearby dominates the skyline of the small town.​