Oybin Castle

The romantic ruins of Oybin cliff-top castle and monastery are of the most important monuments in Upper Lusatia. The complex is situated at the foot of the sandstone table mountain at the edge of Kurort Oybin spa town. The castle was probably built during the 13th century as a guard station next to an important trade route connecting Bohemia and Lusatia. According to legend it was established by Chvala of Lipé, who discovered the cliff when out hunting bears.

George of Lipé, who received the castle from George VII as an imperial fief for his services, expanded the castle at the beginning of the 14th century. During the middle of the 14th century the castle came into the possession of the Czech King, Charles IV, who established a Celestine Monastery at Oybin. The castle and monastery and adjoining land were purchased by Zittau during the second half of the 16th century.

In 1577 the castle was struck by lightning and practically the whole complex was destroyed and never restored. Approximately a hundred years later, in 1681, part of the cliff fell taking a castle tower with it and burying the courtyard. In 1829 the ruins of the castle and monastery were opened to the public, but the remains continued to decay. The complex only underwent extensive repair work after 1990, when the castle towers, church and the masonry of the imperial palace were restored.

The complex is currently open to the public. The path from the car park leads between the houses below the cliff above the town and climbs up sandstone step to the castle. You cannot miss the information centre, where you can become acquainted with the history of the place.

The narrow-gauge railway linking Oybin to Zittau is unique to the area. Trains drawn by steam engines continue to travel along it. The track begins in Zittau and has two branches, one of which ends in Oybin and the other in Jonsdorf.

References:

• Sdružení Český ráj

Address

Hauptstraße 24, Oybin, Germany

Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Hohenstaufen Dynasty (Germany)