Dewin Castle
| Place: | Döben (Grimma, Leipzig) |
|---|---|
| Type: | Castle complex |
| Dating: | Late Middle Ages | Modern times | from approx. 1050 - 1971 AD. |
Description
Only about 400 m west of the "Zetten“ was published in 11. Century n. Chr. a new castle complex was built, Dewin Castle (Döben). It was characterized above all by its strategically better location, as well as by the fact that compared to the "Zetten“ smaller size. The main castle was located on a rocky spur above the Mulde, the so-called Schlossberg. In later times it was used as a castle and manor house. The former outer bailey was located on the higher Kirchberg hill. Count Wiprecht von Groitzsch (1050-1124), who wanted to establish a dominion in the area, is generally regarded as the founder of the castle complex. However, it is certain that there was already a German burgwarden's seat in Döben before then. From the sources for the year 1046, a Burgward called Grobi is known in Döben. However, it is unclear whether it still stands on the former Slavic castle complex, the "Zetten“ or whether he had already moved his seat further west to the Schlossberg or Kirchberg.
Annemarie ReckHistory
In 1117, Wiprecht the Younger subjugated the Burgward in Döben and also took 24 other fortified places in the surrounding area. After the House of Groitzsch died out between 1135 and 1143, a Hohenstaufen burgrave was appointed to replace the Burgward of Döben. In the course of an inheritance dispute in 1189, the Margrave of Meissen, Otto the Rich, was imprisoned by his son Albrecht in the dovecote tower of Dewin Castle. However, he soon had to be released by order of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa (1122-1190). The burgraviate fell to the Wettin dynasty in 1286 at the latest and changed hands many times over the following centuries. Remains of columns unearthed on the site have been dated to 1140. However, the actual castle complex was built in the 14th century. It was grouped around a triangular courtyard at the top of the spur. The buildings underwent various additions and alterations until the 17th century. After a fire, the castle was redesigned in 1857-1859 by the Oberland architect Karl Moritz Haenel in the neo-Renaissance style.
Annemarie ReckImage Source O. Braasch, Foto ©LfA 1996.
Decline
The end of the Second World War marked the decline of the building, which had actually remained undamaged. The last lady of the castle, Annie von Böhlau, and her daughter Jutta had to leave the castle at the end of the war, after which it fell victim to looting. The castle was later used as a building materials store and partly demolished. By the 1950s, there was no longer a roof and the buildings quickly fell into disrepair. In 1971, the castle, which had been a listed building since 1966, was demolished. Despite great efforts and the official objection of the monument preservation authorities, the building could not be saved. All that remained of the original substance were the collapsed cellars, a pavilion dating back to 1740 and some farm buildings of the front manor. The former moat in front of the castle was filled in with the rubble after demolition. The castle complex was restored from 1993.
Annemarie ReckImage Source OA 42210, 368, Brief ©LfA 1970.
Literature
Klaus Kroitzsch, Der „Zetten“ und das Schloss Döben. In: Leipzig und sein Umland. Archäologie zwischen Elster und Mulde. Führer archäologischer Denkmäler in Deutschland 32 (Stuttgart 1996) 187–190.
Note on monument protection
Archaeological monuments are protected by the Saxon Monument Protection Act. A permit under monument law is required for ground interventions or construction measures.
Permalink
https://archaeo-sn.de/en/ort/dewin-castle/
Citation
Annemarie Reck, Dewin Castle. In: Landesamt für Archäologie Sachsen, Website archaeo | SN (11.11.2024). https://archaeo-sn.de/en/ort/dewin-castle/ (Stand: 20.05.2025)
