Hornburg Castle

Hornburg Castle, simultaneously the town's landmark, rises dominantly above the settlement. It was a border castle of the Bishopric of Halberstadt. It is believed that Suitger, son of Count Konrad of Marsleben and Horneburg (Morsleben and Hornburg), was born there in 1005. Suitger became Pope Clement II in 1046 as Bishop of Bamberg. Hornburg was first destroyed in 1113, and again by Henry the Lion in 1179. From here, Barbarossa marched into battle against Henry the Lion in 1181. In 1430, the castle was destroyed for a third time. In the 15th century, the castle was expanded into a fortress and had seven corner towers, a keep, and three ring walls. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was attacked by imperial and Swedish troops. In 1626, Tilly's mercenaries stormed the castle, followed by the Swedes in 1630. In 1632, they handed the castle over to the imperial cavalry general Gottfried Heinrich zu Pappenheim. In 1645, it was destroyed by the Swedish general Königsmarck and subsequently served as a quarry.

After its destruction, the castle grounds lay fallow until 1922, when it was partially reconstructed on its foundations by Georg Lüdecke between 1922 and 1927, based on an engraving by Merian and plans by Bodo Ebhardt. Ebhardt used historicizing forms, creating the impression of a medieval castle from a distance, but up close, and especially inside, a comfortable, contemporary residence. 100 of the 800 square meters of living space are occupied by staircases. Today, the castle is painted "yellow" and connected to the city center by a steep path. As it is privately owned, it cannot be publicly visited.