Mildenstein Castle is located on a spur above the river Freiberger Mulde, at the northern edge of the town of Leisnig proper and opposite the village of Fischendorf. The castle was probably built in the 10th century. However, it was first mentioned only in 1046 when Emperor Heinrich III gifted the Burgwards of Colditz, Rochlitz, and Leisnig to Agnes of Poitou. In 1084 the castle was enfeoffed by Emperor Heinrich IV to Wiprecht of Groitzsch. In 1143 it went by marriage to Franconian earl Rapoto von Abenberg, Stiftsvogt of Bamberg, who sold it in 1148 to Duke Friedrich III of Schwaben who later became known as Emperor Barbarossa. The latter made the castle in 1158 an imperial property, tied to the office of the Emperor and enfeoffed to the Burgraves of Leisnig. As such, it became a governing centre of the Imperial Territory of Pleißenland.
In the early 13th century the castle was the seat of the imperial ministeriales family von Mildenstein who had to give up their properties in the area after they lost a dispute over the entitlement to tithes from former church properties, and Margrave Henry the Illustrious captured the castle in 1232.
Mildenstein castle was rebuilt in the late 14th century under Margrave Wilhelm I. It was, however, not used as a residence, but remained the seat of the local government. Castle and town suffered heavy damage during the Thirty Years' War. In 1706/1707 it was chosen as a residence by Stanisław Leszczyński, who had been elected anti-king to Augustus the Strong. Later in the 18th century the castle housed the regional court of law, a prison and apartments for officials.
Beginning in 1798, the local Mirus family had a romantic park constructed around the castle, which is notable for its artificial ruins and a rock tunnel built in 1866. Since 1890 Mildenstein castle has been used as a museum. A small zoo was also established in the park, but closed in 1990.
Permanent exhibitions in the museum are dedicated to Christian art, the life in the castle when it was used as a noble residence, the administrative tasks of the early modern period, and the history of the prison system. Topics of special exhibitions vary from year to year.
The castle also offers guided tours, concerts, reenactment events, and themed events for children and families.
Buildings
The chapel dates from the 12th century and was rebuilt around 1400. The Bergfried in the inner courtyard dates from the late 12th century. Its lower part is built from locally found quartzite blocks, above a height of 8 m bricks have been used. Due to increasing dilapidation it was partly dismantled in 1791. Since its restoration in 1875 it has been used as an observation tower. The second Bergfried in the outer ward was built in the 1st half of the 13th century. The gatehouse originates from the late 12th/early 13th century while the granary with its impressive roof structure, the Herrenhaus (Lord's residence), and the Pagenhaus (squires' quarters) were rebuilt under Margrave Wilhelm I near the end of the 14th century.
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