Schloss Mühltroff

Burg Mühltroff stands in Mühltroff, a town in the Vogtlandkreis of Saxony. It began as a lowland castle on a greenstone rock surrounded by water-filled ditches, built in the 10th or 11th century to strengthen imperial rule. The site grew over centuries into a complex of living quarters, farm buildings and a knight’s estate. The main castle building dates from the 16th and 17th centuries, with later alterations after a fire in 1817 and further remodelling of the tower between 1820 and 1837. The castle passed through many noble families, from the von Lobdeburgs in the 13th century to the von Kospoths and then the counts of Hohenthal-Püchau in the 19th century. After 1949 it became state property in East Germany and was used as housing. Since reunification the town has restored parts of the complex for public use. The surviving manor house was sold privately in 1999, while the rest of the site serves as a cultural centre. Visitors can see the remaining castle rooms on guided tours and attend exhibitions and events held there. The so-called ‘Black Kitchen’ is a notable feature of the interior. Outside, the old water defences and the greenstone rock base remain visible. The castle grounds lie at the edge of the town centre, making it easy to combine a visit with a walk through Mühltroff’s streets.