Neideck Castle (Ruin) (Arnstadt)

Neideck Castle is a former moated castle in Arnstadt (Ilm-Kreis), Thuringia. Today, it is preserved only as a ruin, with the exception of the castle tower.

The castle was built between 1553 and 1560 by Count Günther XLI of Schwarzburg. It was constructed in the Renaissance style on the foundation walls of the Hersfeld Castle, which was already mentioned in 1273.

Neideck Castle became the seat of the Counts of Schwarzburg-Arnstadt, making Arnstadt a residential city. When Prince Anton Günther II died in 1716, the residence was subsequently moved to Sondershausen. The castle then stood almost empty and was also used as stables. Stones were removed to build bridges. Decay set in, and finally, the castle partially collapsed in 1779.[1] Neideck Castle is today, from the outside, the boarding school for the TV series Schloss Einstein.

Current Condition
In 1998/1999, the 65-meter-high castle tower was restored and is accessible. Additionally, in recent years, the remains of the ruin have been excavated and secured. A 1:20 scale model of the castle has been erected on the castle grounds, which can be visited daily along with other miniature buildings. In the nearby gardener's house of the castle, built around 1650, a 1:200 scale model of the city of Arnstadt around the year 1740 is on display.