Name: Thuringian Castle Days Schwarzburg 2026
Start: 2026-05-22T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-05-25T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Schloss Schwarzburg und weitere Schatzkammer-Residenzen

Castle Days

About Castle Days

The Thuringian Castle Days open the historic residences of the Thuringian Treasury for music, theatre, and education on the Whitsun weekend. From May 22nd to 25th, 2026, the motto «Aufgeführt! Fahrendes Volk und höfisches Theater» (Performed! Travelling People and Court Theatre) will be the focus – a look into theatre history at courts and in public spaces. Schwarzburg Castle in the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt district is one of the central venues; on May 23rd, the Day of Volunteering invites you to Schwarzburg from 11 am to 5 pm with free admission.

Dates 22 May — 25 May 2026

Venue Schwarzburg (16073)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Castle Days — edition 2026

Tickets →

The 2026 Thuringian Castle Days run from May 22nd to 25th under the motto «Aufgeführt! Fahrendes Volk und höfisches Theater» (Performed! Travelling People and Court Theatre). Schwarzburg Castle in the Schwarzatal is one of the central venues. On May 23rd, 2026, admission is free from 11 am to 5 pm (Day of Volunteering).

Focus 2026: Court Theatre

The motto draws on Thuringia's theatre history: travelling troupes, court performances, repertoire theatre. Events will take place in the Thuringian Treasury castles of Schwarzburg, Rudolstadt, Sondershausen, Gotha, Weimar, and others.

Highlights Castle Days 2026

Day of Volunteering at Schwarzburg Castle (May 23rd, free admission 11 am–5 pm), parallel events at Friedenstein, Heidecksburg, Sondershausen, Weimar.

Programme Castle Days 2026

Schwarzburg Castle Programme 2026

May 22–25, 2026 – Castle Days Association
May 23, 2026, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM – Day of Volunteering at Schwarzburg Castle, free admission: Honouring volunteer restoration and educational work, special guided tours, concerts, short theatre performances

Parallel Venues

Friedenstein Castle Gotha
Heidecksburg Rudolstadt
Sondershausen Castle
Anna Amalia Library & Belvedere Palace Weimar
other Thuringian Treasury houses

Full programme and tickets at schloessertage.de and schatzkammer-thueringen.de.

Prices Castle Days 2026

Varies per venue. Day of Volunteering May 23rd Schwarzburg: free admission. Combined Castle Days Pass available at schloessertage.de.

Practical information

Practical information — Castle Days

Getting to Schwarzburg

By car: A71 exit Heldburger Unterland or via Bad Blankenburg. By train: Schwarzburg station in the Schwarzatal (Schwarzatalbahn railway).

Admission

Variable depending on the event. Day of Volunteering on May 23rd, 2026 in Schwarzburg: free admission 11 am–5 pm. Tickets and programme at schloessertage.de.

Tip

Combine your visit with the Schwarzatalbahn railway («Bummel-Bahn») and a hike to the Trippstein suspension bridge.

Thuringian Treasury – An Association

The Thuringian Treasury unites the most important castles, palaces, and gardens of the Free State under one roof: Friedenstein Castle in Gotha, Heidecksburg Castle in Rudolstadt, Sondershausen Castle, Schwarzburg Castle, Anna Amalia Library in Weimar, and many more. Once a year – on the Whitsun weekend – these houses open together for the Thuringian Castle Days.

Motto 2026: Aufgeführt!

The motto «Aufgeführt! Fahrendes Volk und höfisches Theater» (Performed! Travelling People and Court Theatre) in 2026 focuses on theatre history. From the 17th to the 19th century, a rich theatre culture developed at the courts of Thuringia – from travelling troupes to permanent court theatres. The 2026 Castle Days stage this history in authentic spaces.

Schwarzburg Castle – The Summer Palace

Schwarzburg Castle in the idyllic Schwarzatal was the ancestral seat of the House of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt. Today, the castle is a special venue – not yet fully restored, with that certain morbid charm that gives the place a unique character. On May 23rd, 2026, it hosts the Day of Volunteering: Free admission from 11 am to 5 pm for everyone who wants to experience the castle in its special atmosphere.

Four Days of Whitsun

From May 22nd to 25th, 2026, parallel events will take place in the other Thuringian Treasury castles – concerts, theatre, special guided tours, readings, and hands-on activities for families. A complete overview is available at schloessertage.de.