Come with me to a magical Secret Garden in the heart of Central Germany. Amidst gigantic bushes of azaleas on enchanting castle grounds you can discover the beauty of the parks around Castle Tannenfeld. It’s a free sight to visit when travelling Thuringia and super close to the autobahn. No excuse to not check it out!
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Where is Tannenfeld Castle?
The Castle Tannenfeld is located in the German state of Thuringia (which is the most centrally located state of Germany). It is a district of the community Löbichau and located in the region of Altenburger Land.
- Official website (in German)
What’s the History behind Tannenfeld?
The current castle as we see it dates back to 1899. However, the very first mention of Tannenfeld as “Tanniveld” dates back to the early Middle ages, between 1181 and 1214, where it belonged to the Bosau Monastery. It must have been destroyed during war times.
The property was also sold to the lords of nearby Löbichau Castle, which were part the Wettin administrative district of Altenburg.
Ownership changed over the next centuries until it was eventually returned to Löbichau in 1950.
Over time, many different houses in different architectural styles were added and the park turned from private aristocratic residence into a care facility for patients with neurological issues:
- 1790 cavalier house ”Kavaliershaus“
- 1800 the garden was transformed into an English style landscape park
- 1899 expansion of castle
- 1900 villa ”Planegg”
- 1903 villa ” Waldegg”
- 1905 water tower
- 1908 azaleas and rhododendron
- 1911 house “Brunegg”
Notable owners who put their mark on Tannenfeld Castle were Anna-Dorothea von Kurland (1761-1821) and Dr. Arthur Tecklenburg, who transformed it into a sanatorium.
In 1945, the castle was claimed by the Soviet occupation and the rest of the buildings were sold in 1949 and turned into a neurology hospital until 1985.
From 2011 to 2017, the buildings were left abandoned until investors purchased them to reconstruct a centre for dementia care, which was announced in October 2023 (source).
More concrete dates and changes in the history of Tannenfeld are listed here (in German).
When to see azaleas at Castle Tannenfeld?
The end of April and early May are the ideal time to visit the Tannenfeld parklands to see azaleas in bloom. Since there are so many different varieties, they also bloom at slightly different times, so you should always be able to see some beautiful flowers in all their glory.
How many azaleas are there?
There are over 50 different types of azaleas and rhododendron The entire park landscape at Tannenfeld is full of huge bushes and trees of them.
Is it free to visit?
Yes. As of summer 2024, the park can be visited free of charge. There are even pathways to walk on and go around the flower bushes and buildings. You cannot enter any of the houses.
How to get there?
The best way is to drive from the Autobahn A4 and get off at exit 60 towards Löbichau. You will see a brown sign to your right showing you the easy-to-overlook entry driveway towards the castle. Don’t drive too fast or you’ll miss it!
You can park along the path close to the park entrance. There is no parking fee.
Alternatively, there is also a bus stop close by. The stop name is “Tannenfeld and the bus line is 355. The closest train station, from which to take the bus, is Schmölln (Schmoelln) train station for regional trains. You pay the bus driver in cash (no credit cards!) or get your digital ticket via MDV. Check current times and stops here by looking for line 355 and clicking on the link, which will download the PDF file.
Bonus travel tip:
If you don’t drive back up the autobahn but cross underneath to the neighbouring community, you can also visit Castle Posterstein. It’s even visible from the edge of Tannenfeld park close to Villa Planegg.
There’s also a cafe and hotel there. Just wear comfortable shoes for the walk up the stairs.
More Thuringia travel tips
- Where to eat in Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia
- What to do in Jena any month you visit
- Day trips from Erfurt to not miss out on
- Hiking on the Inselsberg mountain
- What to see in the cultural city of Weimar
