Kuckuckstein Castle in Saxony: New chapter for 2024

Wed, 06/19/2024

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From the nationwide funding program "Preservation of Monuments and Cultural Touristic Use of Historic Buildings," six winning projects emerged, including Schloss Kuckuckstein in Saxony. With a grant of 50.000 EUR from Schlösser und Gärten in Deutschland e.V. and Airbnb, authentic accommodation options for tourists are planned to be developed here.

One of the six winning projects of the third funding round by "Schlösser und Gärten in Deutschland e.V." is Schloss Kuckuckstein in Liebstadt, Saxony. In 2018, owner Jens Höhnel acquired this significant cultural heritage, one of the oldest castles in Saxony. After multiple changes of ownership and decades of neglect in maintenance, Schloss Kuckuckstein is now in urgent need of renovation. Jens Höhnel has concrete plans which he intends to implement with the 50.000 EUR grant: "The funding is a significant step towards securing the preservation of the castle complex. With this amount, it is now possible for the first time to renovate parts of the interior, making the castle usable again, including for overnight guests." The former historical castle apartments will be reconstructed to offer future guests an authentic and comfortable overnight experience.

Schloss Kuckuckstein: Revitalizing Old Walls with Fresh Energy

Following the acquisition of Schloss Kuckuckstein, efforts focused on halting its decay and repairing structural damages. Initial extensive renovation measures, carried out in close consultation with the State Office for Heritage Management, addressed damages to the roof covering, timber structures, and exterior facade. Reconstructing the roof structure was inevitable. As the exterior appearance of the castle gradually regains its former glory, the next phase involves renovating the interior spaces. Tourists will soon be able to stay overnight at Schloss Kuckuckstein. Plans include converting a guest room with a small historic-style bathroom on the first floor of the gatehouse. Additionally, the former castle apartment in the gatehouse will be transformed into holiday apartments, furnished with stylish furniture and modern amenities, offering visitors a firsthand experience of the castle's rich history. Over 200 years ago, on September 9, 1813, even Napoléon spent a night in the former border fortress, after observing the retreat of his opponent from the heights north of Liebstadt.

From Medieval Border Defense to Cultural Center

Schloss Kuckuckstein was likely built around 930–940 under Heinrich I. to protect the Saxon-Bohemian border area and the army and trade routes from the Elbe Valley across the Erzgebirge Mountains. After the Lords of Dohna lost Liebstadt to the Margrave of Meissen in 1402, he entrusted Günther and Heinrich von Bünau with the border stronghold. Influenced by Freemasonry and literary and artistic circles of early Romanticism, the castle evolved into an intellectual center. Today, it blends various architectural styles from Romanesque to Romanticism, representing a successful fusion of medieval forms and elements of Neo-Gothic.