Open Day Eckartsburg Castle

One Castle, Five Sundays, Free Admission

High above the town of Eckartsberga on the border with Thuringia, on the eastern edge of the Finne, stands Eckartsburg — a late Romanesque hilltop castle from the late 12th century, one of the oldest surviving castle complexes in Saxony-Anhalt. For most of the year, the castle is closed, but on five Sundays between May and September, the old complex transforms into a vibrant venue: On the Open Day Eckartsburg Castle, the Burgmannschaft Zur Eckartsburg e.V. opens the castle gate and takes you on a journey through history.

Over 800 Years of Castle History

The 36-meter-high keep is visible far beyond the hilly landscape of An der Finne. From here, the Thuringian landgraves once had a clear view over their domain. In 1457, Anne of Austria was banished to Eckartsburg by her husband, Duke Wilhelm III — one of the most famous episodes in the complex's eventful history. The curtain walls, palace, Kammergottor gate, and the gatehouse to the eastern outer bailey are still preserved in their original form and form the core of the visit.

Castle Team as Volunteer Guardians

The Open Day Eckartsburg Castle is supported by the association Burgmannschaft Zur Eckartsburg e.V., which manages the castle together with the Kulturstiftung Sachsen-Anhalt. The volunteer castle guards will guide you through selected areas of the complex at 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM, and 2:15 PM, sharing anecdotes about construction phases, residents, and restorations — no admission fee, no registration, just walk in.

Nestled in the Saale-Unstrut Region

Eckartsberga is located in the southern Burgenlandkreis and belongs to the An der Finne collective municipality. The castle is part of the dense network of medieval fortifications that makes the Saale-Unstrut region Germany's most castle-rich landscape. A castle weekend in Saxony-Anhalt can easily combine Eckartsburg with Rudelsburg Castle, Saaleck Castle, or Neuenburg Castle above Freyburg — all within a manageable radius around Naumburg.

Atmosphere

The Open Day Eckartsburg Castle is a quiet, relaxed event, particularly popular with families with children who rarely get to experience castle walls, a keep, and a courtyard so directly. Those who prefer a more documentary approach can be guided through the complex by the volunteer guides; those who prefer a quieter experience can find a spot on the castle lawn overlooking the Finne hills.