Saaleck Castle, Hammelburg, Germany

Around 800 AD, a chapel is said to have been built on the site of current Saaleck Castle. The origins of the castle remain unclear. It was first mentioned around 1030 by a historian from the nearby Homburg, which was being extensively expanded at the time.

Significant expansions were made in the 13th century. Abbot Heinrich von Erthal (1249–1261) completed the fortifications, adding ditches, walls, and battlements. The neck ditch was deepened, and the shield wall was reinforced. Over the following centuries, the castle was continuously worked on. Even Ulrich von Hutten once paid 50 guilders to renew a wooden bridge over the southern neck ditch.

Originally, Fulda's southernmost stronghold played an important role in the region. The castle was strategically located and was significantly strengthened during the time of Abbot Marquard I.

After the Thirty Years' War, Salentin von Sintzig rebuilt the castle as his retirement residence. According to his reports, the castle was in a very ruined state at the time, with large stones being taken away by locals for their own construction purposes. From 1644 to 1667, he meticulously rebuilt the entire complex. Before the Peasants' War, the castle had lost its military importance and had fallen into ruin. It had not suffered significant damage from wars or fires until the outbreak of the war, when it was suddenly occupied and devastated by rebels.

About 100 meters below the castle lies the upper end of the chapel's way of the cross from the Altstadt Monastery.

Today, the castle, or Schloss Saaleck, is protected as a landscape-defining historical monument.

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

S. L. (2 years ago)
Go to the top of the tower

Daniel N (6 years ago)
Beautiful panoramic view and Delicious food

Anshu ranjan bose (7 years ago)
The perfect place for a cozy dinner. Lovely ambience and the staff is perfect.

Stephan Meyer-Ewald (8 years ago)
Beautiful castle. Great place to start a hike. There a wine tasting room nearby. Great restaurant/cafe inside. Great view from the tower.

Gareth Williams (8 years ago)
Great meal in fantastic surrounds. Don't forget to climb the tower for fantastic views.

Saaleck Castle

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Church of St Donatus