Cyriaksburg Fortress, Erfurt, Germany

The Cyriaksburg Fortress is situated on a hill outside the city gates of Erfurt. The construction was started in 1480 but not completed until about 1604. The shape of the foundations is like a rectangle with unequal sides. Two strong round towers from 1528 have been preserved. One of them is now used as a viewing tower and the other one houses an observatory. The moat is also partly visible.

From 1631 to 1649, during the Thirty Years' War, Cyriaksburg was occupied by the Swedes. During that time it is said that the famous physicist Otto von Guericke from Magdeburg assisted in fortifying parts of the castle. The remains visible today date back mainly to 1824 until 1830, when the Prussians converted the castle into a fortress. The underground parts house a well of about 40 metres depth for drinking water and for water to extinguish fires. This well dates back to 1530. The brick vaults above the well date back to 1829.

Parts of the fortress were dismantled between 1874 and 1900. The surrounding areas were gradually planted with shrubs and flowers and opened to the public. The rooms of the Cyriaksburg Castle are now used for the permanent exhibition of the German Museum for Horticulture.

References:

Visit Thuringia

User Reviews

News Zaporizhzhya (2 years ago)
Very beautiful place. Huge thick walls! Now I want to see this place in the summer ???

HOLLY MCANDREWS (2 years ago)
Not much to see as most buildings are in use. We did the underground tunnel tour which was very cool but guide didn’t speak English. Still a neat experience.

Saodat Khaitova (2 years ago)
Very specific and important place in the history Erfurt. The museum of citadel is full of interactive activities to learn about the background of Erfurt. Nice and supportive English speaking staff.

RomanProks (6 years ago)
Very nice building, particularly in reconstruction. You can see whole city from the side of Dóm, in the other side you can walk, lie down and sunbathe ona deck chair. RealyGl good place to relax, there is also restaurant with the prospect.

Shadenight123 (6 years ago)
Really cool tour with really cook guide

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Following Hadrian

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.

Cyriaksburg Fortress

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople