Bernburg Castle, Crown of Anhalt

The Bernburg was probably mentioned as early as 29 June 961 as a Saxon round and refuge castle with rampart and moat in a deed of donation by Emperor Otto I as "Brandanburg". A large early medieval castle complex has now been archaeologically proven on the Bernburg Schlossberg.

In 1138 it was first mentioned as Berneburch or Berneborch on the occasion of its pillage in connection with disputes between Guelph and Hohenstaufen. At that time it was the widow's seat of Countess Eilika, the mother of Margrave Albrecht the Bear of the House of Ascanians.

In the second half of the 12th century, under Bernhard III (Saxony), it was rebuilt as a large Romanesque castle complex. The mighty keep in the castle courtyard (one of the largest in Germany) dates from this time, which - according to local tradition - is considered the setting of the 22nd history of the Middle Low German folk book Till Eulenspiegel and is therefore called the Eulenspiegel Tower.

Thierry!