Old Castle (Ober Rengersdorf)

Is there still a happy ending for the New Castle in Ober Rengersdorf? The castle is located on the narrow road leading from Kodersdorf to Torga. Therefore, the castle is often (mistakenly) referred to as Torga Castle. For years, the building has stood empty and is decaying. Just a few months ago, the New Castle was barely visible. Tall bushes, which grew wild in the former castle park, blocked the view of the interesting building. But now something is stirring in its park.

The history of the manor house goes back many centuries. As early as 1305, "Rengeresdorph" was mentioned in the 1st Görlitz City Book. In 1517, the manor lords from Nieder Rengersdorf founded the "Schwarzes Vorwerk" in Ober Rengersdorf, from which an independent knight's estate emerged in 1539. Extensive farm buildings, which today serve as residences, bear witness to its former economic importance. In the southwestern corner of the courtyard stands the Old Castle, whose core dates back to the 18th century. Its rectangular floor plan supports the two-story building with a half-hipped roof.

Captain Adolf Sanio acquired the estate in 1886. He had the simple building spruced up. Two ornate portals have since emphasized its stately character. The corners of the house are accentuated by massive pillars, once adorned with small turrets. At the back, the builder added a side wing, whose gable faces the park.

A new era dawned when, in 1900, the Austrian officer Julius von Roncador, Edler von Nornenfels, came into possession of the estate. Julius von Roncador developed the knight's estate into a large agricultural enterprise. Cattle, pig, and sheep breeding yielded good profits. For processing agricultural products, he operated his own dairy and a flour mill. In keeping with his standard of living, he no longer wanted to be content with the simple manor house on the estate. So, from 1900 to 1901, he had the New Castle built in the park grounds.

The New Castle is unparalleled. The builder spared no expense to make his new home comfortable. On a rectangular floor plan, he erected a two-story building with a mansard roof. Four round towers with curved domes adorn the corners. They are reminiscent of castle architecture in the mid-16th century. A richly decorated central section grandly arches towards the park. Its cornice supports a curved gable with a round window and vase crowning. On the ground floor, an open loggia with an arcade and balcony wraps around the central part. From it, a double-flight open staircase leads into the castle garden. Julius von Roncador continued his opulent construction style indoors as well. Through the main entrance, one enters a spacious hall divided by pillars. Groin vaults give it a special effect. A split staircase provides access to the upper floors. The halls and rooms are decorated with stucco ceilings.

Julius von Roncador died in 1922. His son Heinz then sold the property to Kommerzienrat Joseph Kutz. With the decline of the nobility at the beginning of the 20th century, the prospects for the New Castle Ober Rengersdorf were also poor. Manfred Graf von Ingenheim - Joseph Kutz's son-in-law - had to divide the knight's estate in 1931, but retained a remainder with 50 hectares of land. However, the count's family could no longer maintain the New Castle alone. So, in 1936/37, a mother's convalescent home was established in its rooms. With the end of the Second World War, the property was finally expropriated. From then on, the Old Castle served as a nursery; school classes were taught in the New Castle. Since 1992, the New Castle has stood empty. Several attempts to sell it have failed. So, one can only hope that a solvent investor will still be found for Ober Rengersdorf Castle, who will properly renovate the unique building and put it to a meaningful use before the building fabric completely decays.