Castles & ruins 27: Kriebstein castle, DE

 

Original castle was built around 1380-s by family  von Beerwalde, in 15th century it comes to the hands of other noble families of the region and changes owners quite frequently. 


There were couple of big reconstruction during the castle life time, but all of them kept its gothic style. 


Today the castle is state property and museum – better visit on summer time when all the rooms and exhibitions are open every day, because in winter you can get into partial exhibits and only on weekends.


Here I learnt that what I thought was just a legend is actually a real story: first I learnt it from German medieval folk song, then as a legend which (I thought) might be applicable to whatever medieval castle siege but here at Kriebstein it really happened:


in 1415 Margrave Frederick the Belligerent laid siege to the castle trying to get Knight Dietrich von Staupitz. The siege was long and people in the castle were starving, so they ask if at least women could get out and leave. 


Margrave agreed but conditioned that women will take only one the most treasured possession 'cos (of course) he planned to sack the castle and get, apart from mischievous knight, big loot from it. 



They agreed but next morning Margrave was amazed to see that the women of Kriebstein – from simple peasant to the lady of the castle – were carrying on their shoulders their most treasured possessions:


their wounded husbands. He was moved by this so much that he call off the siege and let the castle inhabitants be and even pardoned the knight Dietrich.




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