Eilenburg Castle Grounds and Mountain Cellars

The Eilenburg castle hill (Schlossberg) can also be described as the cradle of Saxony. In 1089, the Wettin territorial state was born here, from which today's Free State of Saxony emerged. The legendary Eilenburg counts, who also play a central role in the Eilenburg elves' legend, are thus at the beginning of the 829-year-long rule of the mighty Wettins. In the 10th century, the Ilburg was built here with the Sorbenturm, which still stands today. The Eilenburg Castle Association brought this approximately five-hectare site back into the public eye. After the Sorbenturm and the castle gate, the small keep and the castle hill walls have now been renovated and the slope secured. The Hundertstüfchen (stairs) lead from the town center to the circular path of the castle grounds, crossing the Saxon Lutherweg and the EILENBURGER SCHLEIFE cycle circuit. The HEINZELBERGE guesthouse, which was renovated from a former prison, is also located on the castle grounds.

The entrances to Eilenburg's underworld are just a stone's throw from the castle hill. Since the Middle Ages, the tasty and long-lasting Eilenburg beer has been stored in the extensive mountain cellars, which contributed significantly to the town's prosperity for centuries. Later, the tunnel systems were used for other purposes, further expanded and rebuilt, and finally served as a refuge for many hundreds of Eilenburg residents from the artillery bombardment in April 1945, which destroyed almost the entire town.