Reinstädt Castle

The Kemenate Reinstädt is a massive residential tower from the early Renaissance period in the center of Reinstädt, a village in a side valley of the Saale about 20 kilometers southwest of Jena.

The location of Reinstädt is at the western end of a narrow side valley, which is drained by the Reinstädter Bach, flowing into the Saale near Kahla. The fortification thus primarily served to protect the noble court and the villages of Reinstädt and Geunitz. At the same time, it also monitored an access point to the Saale valley.

The Kemenate stands freely today in the courtyard of a rectangular plot and is located immediately north of the likewise fortified village church. The property also includes several former farm buildings.

A noble seat has been located in the village since 1083. The current building, according to documentary tradition, was begun in 1408 and has five floors. The structure is one of the few old residential towers in Thuringia and is structurally connected with the neighboring fortified church in Reinstädt.

The tower-like stone fortification bears the name Kemenate, which refers to the fact that it contained heated living spaces.

Remains of ramparts and defensive moats and a connection with the Reinstädter Bach are no longer recognizable.