The history of Reinharz Castle: a Baroque legacy
From aristocratic splendor to the present day: the historical development of the castle and park
Reinharz Castle, a baroque masterpiece in the Düben Heath, looks back on a rich and varied history. Built between 1690 and 1701, the castle combines baroque architecture with rococo interiors and reflects the former power and influence of the Löser family. Embedded in an extensive landscaped park, which was redesigned in the 19th century, Reinharz Castle tells the fascinating story of Saxon architecture and aristocratic traditions.
“Royal accommodation”
Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, already appreciated the Düben Heath with its rolling hills as a place of relaxation and recreation.
In the middle of this landscape, a baroque tower towers over the extensive forests, meadows and lakes. It leads visitors to the moated castle of Reinharz, a baroque castle complex with an important astronomical history.
On the edge of the six-hectare castle park with centuries-old trees lies the romantic gardener’s house from the 18th century. It was renovated in 2008 in keeping with its listed status and divided into three exclusive apartments for four to six people each, which can be flexibly combined.
Each apartment has its own style to meet individual requirements. Tastefully furnished and equipped to a high standard with sauna and wood-burning stove, all requirements for a relaxing stay are met.
Far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, guests will find strength and relaxation here.
Change and heritage
In 1837, Schloss Reinharz was sold to the Hertwig family, who transformed the park from a baroque pleasure garden into a landscape park. Despite these changes, traces of the original baroque garden are still visible. As part of the Saxony-Anhalt “Garden Dreams” project, a conservation concept was developed to preserve the historical significance of the park. The castle and park impressively illustrate the changes to the landscape and the development of the estate in the 19th century.
Baroque meets Gothic
The Reinharz Castle Church, built around 1700, combines Gothic elements such as pointed arch windows with a Baroque interior. The church impresses with its two-storey gallery with richly painted balustrades and the lords’ box. The altar with crowned coat of arms, the pulpit with vine carvings and the baptismal font on a baluster support are remarkable furnishings. Epitaphs, including one for H. Löser (1705), bear witness to the historical significance of the place.
The Reinharz
Historic village in the Düben Heath
The picturesque village of Reinharz is located in the Düben Heath Nature Park, surrounded by forests and meadows. The 68-metre-high tower of the moated castle is visible from afar and, together with the castle park, the brewery pond and old trees, forms a harmonious connection to nature. Owned by the Löser family since 1486, the village became an independent manor in 1666. Heinrich von Löser had the impressive baroque castle built between 1690 and 1701, followed by the completion of the village church in 1703.
History and aristocratic history
Reinharz, known as “Renritz” in the 15th century, was taken over by the Löser family in 1485. After the sale of Pretzsch Castle in 1647, Heinrich von Löser built the baroque Reinharz Castle as the new family residence between 1690 and 1701. His son Hans, a passionate scientist, extended the castle tower to 68 meters and set up a renowned workshop for astronomical instruments. The manor remained in the possession of the Löser family until 1837.