Scharfenstein Castle (Burg Scharfenstein)

The original castle was built around 1250, and it was owned by the Waldenburg family until 1931, when the castle was sold at auction for 330000 marks. Quite inexpensive, check this link to see how much it would cost in today's money.

Scharfenstein Castle (Burg Scharfenstein) ©Yuriy Buriak

The castle is interesting because it is one of the oldest estates in Saxony and has been continuously inhabited for over 750 years.

Scharfenstein Castle (Burg Scharfenstein) ©Yuriy Buriak

A fire on the night of June 1-2, 1921 destroyed most of the complex. Partial reconstruction with preservation of its old appearance was carried out in 1921-1923.


In 1951, a special orphanage for “hard-to-learn” boys was established at the castle. At the time, this meant that one did not fit into the socialist image of humanity. From 1967 to 1990, the castle was transformed into a youth labor camp for young men who were also considered “hard-to-learn” in the sense of GDR pedagogy.

With political changes, the youth labor camp was disbanded and Scharfenstein Castle was opened to tourists after it came under the control of the Free State of Saxony and was completely renovated.

We did not go straight to the castle, but first drove up to a viewpoint built by locals. You can get there by car 50.701389, 13.055028. The place is very picturesque with a beautiful view of the town and the castle.






And this is the view of the observation deck from the side of the castle.


Afterwards we went down to the parking lot and walked up to the castle. We didn't go inside, although there is a small museum there. See the official website for the opening hours. The territory of the castle has free access.






















The tower can be climbed.


The area around the castle.










Getting there: parking lot only at the bottom 50.703194, 13.055778, you will have to walk up to the castle. By buses 217 (Zschopau - Wolkenstein), 230 (Drebach - Großrückerswalde) or 238 (Zschopau - Ehrenfriedersdorf) to the "Scharfenstein, Bahnhof" stop. The Scharfenstein train station is 500 meters from the castle.