Top 20 Castles around Drei Gleichen
Best castles around Drei Gleichen refers to a trio of historic castles in Thuringia, Germany: Gleichen Castle, Mühlburg Castle, and Wachsenburg Castle. These castles are situated on three prominent hills, offering a blend of history and views. The area around the castles is a landscape protection area and part of the UNESCO Geopark Inselsberg – Drei Gleichen.
Best castles around Drei Gleichen
- The most popular castles is Gleichen Castle, a castle that is largely a ruin but features a preserved keep. It is associated with the legend of Count Ernst von Gleichen and offers panoramic views of Thuringia.
- Another must-see spot is Mühlburg (Thuringia Stamp Station 425), a castle. It holds the distinction of being the oldest castle in Thuringia, with origins dating back to 704, and has seen significant restoration.
- Visitors also love Wachsenburg Fortress, a castle that operates as a hotel with a restaurant and a museum. It combines historical exploration with modern hospitality, allowing visitors to enjoy a meal or stay overnight within its historic walls.
- Drei Gleichen is known for castle ruins, restored castles, and castles with modern amenities. The region offers a variety of castles to see and explore, from ancient ruins to sites with museums and hospitality services.
- The castles around Drei Gleichen are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 1400 upvotes and over 1900 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 26, 2026
Mühlburg (Thuringia Stamp Station 425)
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Gleichen Castle
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Admission: 3.00 € (as of 2018)
Opening hours: 1st April - 31st October
10.00am-6.00pm daily
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Molsdorf Castle
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Wachsenburg Fortress
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Friedenstein Castle
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Tips from the Community
The entire park is designed in the English style.
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View of the spacious inner courtyard.
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Here you can get a bird's eye view of the Friedenstein Castle with its park and the Ducal Museum.
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Absolutely impressive castle on a hill in the center of Gotha, so you can't miss it. There is also a lot to discover around the castle 🤗.
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The Veste Wachsenburg, often simply called Wachsenburg, is a medieval hilltop castle belonging to the Drei Gleichen in the area of Holzhausen, a district of the Amt Wachsenburg municipality in the Ilm district in Thuringia. In the course of its history, the castle has changed hands frequently, been destroyed and frequently rebuilt and expanded: especially from 1900 to 1913 to house the extensive Wachsenburg collections on local and military history. The latter was lost in 1946 and the local museum had to close in 1962. Today, the Wachsenburg serves as a tourist restaurant, as it has long done, and has been a hotel since 1966, and it houses a small, privately run museum. Admission now costs €5 per person.
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Gleichen Castle is a medieval castle ruin in Thuringia near Gotha. It is part of the Drei Gleichen castle ensemble and today belongs to the Thuringian Castles and Gardens Foundation.
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The fortress was built in the middle of the 10th century as a fort-like structure on the 421 m high Wassenberg. As a result, it changed owners frequently. At the end of the 15th century, the castle began to decay. From 1651, the Duke of Gotha, Ernst the Pious, had it rebuilt and its water supply secured by a 93 m deep well. In 1859, the castle's military status was lifted and it was opened to visitors. The most striking building in the Wachsenburg is the Hohenlohe Tower, which can be seen from afar and was built by the Wachsenburg Association in 1905. From 1964 to 1969, the fortress was restored and a hotel was set up. Since 2001, it has been privately owned and is operated as a hotel with restaurants and a museum. The Wachsenburg fortress is just under 5 km from the neighboring Mühlburg in Mühlberg. Source: https://www.tourismus-thueringer-wald.de/burgen-und-schloesser/veste-growingburg-holzhausen
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Beautifully renovated castle
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the names of the three castles that make up the Drei Gleichen?
The Drei Gleichen refers to three distinct castles: Gleichen Castle, Mühlburg (Thuringia Stamp Station 425), and Wachsenburg Fortress. They are situated on three prominent hills in Thuringia, Germany.
Which of the Drei Gleichen castles is the oldest?
Mühlburg (Thuringia Stamp Station 425) holds the distinction of being the oldest castle among the Drei Gleichen, with its origins dating back as early as 704. It has seen significant restoration in recent years.
Can I stay overnight or dine at any of the Drei Gleichen castles?
Yes, Wachsenburg Fortress operates as a hotel with a restaurant and a museum. Visitors can enjoy a meal or even stay overnight within its historic walls, combining historical exploration with modern hospitality.
Are there hiking trails connecting the Drei Gleichen castles?
Yes, the three castles are connected by hiking trails. The Gustav Freytag hiking trail is a particularly beautiful route that offers stunning views and insights into Thuringia's history. You can find various hiking routes in the area, including a "View of Wachsenburg Castle – Gleichen Castle loop from Mühlberg" which is about 12.6 km long. For more hiking options, explore the Hiking around Drei Gleichen guide.
What is the best time of year to visit the Drei Gleichen castles?
Visiting in spring is especially beautiful when the snowdrops bloom on the castle slopes, adding a picturesque charm to the landscape. The castles are generally open from March/April to October.
Are there any family-friendly castles or activities in the Drei Gleichen area?
Several castles offer family-friendly experiences. Mühlburg (Thuringia Stamp Station 425) is increasingly attractive for families due to its ongoing development. Wachsenburg Fortress and Molsdorf Castle are also noted as family-friendly, with Molsdorf featuring a park and museum. Many of the hiking trails around the castles are suitable for families.
Where can I find the best panoramic views of all three Drei Gleichen castles?
A particularly scenic view of all three castles can be enjoyed from the "Drei-Burgen-Blick" on the Rhönberg, a hill opposite Gleichen Castle.
What historical legends are associated with the Drei Gleichen castles?
Gleichen Castle is famously associated with the legend of Count Ernst von Gleichen, a crusader who, according to the tale, returned from captivity with a Sultan's daughter and lived happily with both his first wife and the princess, with papal dispensation. This story even inspired Goethe's play "Stella."
Are there other castles nearby worth visiting besides the Drei Gleichen?
Yes, beyond the Drei Gleichen, you can explore other significant castles. Molsdorf Castle, a picturesque baroque pleasure palace, offers a museum and beautiful gardens. Further afield, Friedenstein Castle in Gotha is the largest early Baroque palace complex in Germany and is also worth a visit.
What kind of outdoor activities are available near the Drei Gleichen castles?
The area around the Drei Gleichen castles is excellent for various outdoor activities. Besides hiking, you can find numerous mountain biking and road cycling routes. For example, there's a "Gleichen Castle – Mühlburg loop from Wandersleben" for MTB, and a "Marienthal Bridge – View of Veste Wachsenburg loop from Seebergen" for road cycling. Explore more options in the MTB Trails around Drei Gleichen and Road Cycling Routes around Drei Gleichen guides.
Are there museums or exhibitions within the castles?
Yes, several castles offer museums and exhibitions. Gleichen Castle, though largely a ruin, features a small museum in its preserved keep. Wachsenburg Fortress has a museum with a collection of weapons and historical artifacts. Additionally, Molsdorf Castle houses a museum with historical rooms and special exhibitions.
Is there parking available at the castles?
For Wachsenburg Fortress, there is a parking lot located below the castle walls. Molsdorf Castle also has parking facilities. For Gleichen Castle and Mühlburg (Thuringia Stamp Station 425), visitors typically park in nearby villages and hike up, though specific parking information for each castle should be checked locally.
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