Built around 1480, Kittlitz Castle looks back on an eventful history. Initially used as a knight's and aristocratic residence, it served as a military hospital and accommodation for displaced persons after the Second World War. After the municipal office moved in in 1949, the castle complex developed into a versatile cultural space for the public and today forms the lively center of Kittlitz club and community life.
Mostly by appointment.
By car: Take the B6 towards Bautzen and turn off in Kittlitz. Follow the signs to Kittlitz Castle.
Public transportation: Take a train to Bautzen. From there, take a bus or cab to Kittlitz.
There is always something going on at Kittlitz Castle at the foot of the Lauchaer Schafberg. People meet, talk and celebrate together. There is singing, laughing and dancing. But it is by no means high society that holds court here and invites select guests to the reception. On the contrary. Everyone is welcome at Kittlitz Castle. The “lords and ladies of the castle” include the boys and girls from the “Dreikäsehoch” kindergarten, the members of the Kittlitz carnival club and the local singing group. The head of the village also has his office in the historic building, which has long been something like the center of community life. Since December 31, 2003, Schloss Kittlitz has officially been the “House of Clubs”.
The fact that this multi-generational house for the future could be built at all is thanks to the great voluntary commitment of its citizens and the first post-war mayor of Kittlitz. He prevented the already prepared demolition of the castle and converted the rooms of the former manor into a temporary camp for displaced persons. After the municipal office later moved in and the castle served as a meeting room for community events, it was mainly used for residential purposes until the 1980s.
The current location of the castle was first described around 1480, which is why it is assumed today that the foundation stone for the original building was laid at this time, which was to change several times over the centuries. In the mid-18th century, a stately house with two storeys and heavy mansards was built, intersected on both sides by an octagonal tower structure. The owner at the time was the leading German Freemason Karl Gotthelf von Hund und Altengrottkau, who made Kittlitz Castle the center of the fraternity.
At the end of the 19th century, the owner of the manor, E.F.W. Fickler, had the castle park laid out. In addition to numerous large and small events around the castle, the annual park festival is the highlight of community life in Kittlitz.
